Pope Francis arrived Saturday in Jordan, kicking off a three-day trip to the Middle East that will see him get a firsthand look at the plight of Syrian refugees and witness the toll the civil war next door is taking on Jordan.
His plane touched down at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport, where an honor guard and Catholic leaders met him on arrival. On the flight, the pope told journalists that the trip would be "challenging," but rewarding.
"My heart beats and is looking to love," he said.
After meeting with King Abdullah II and Queen Rania at the royal palace, Francis is due to celebrate Mass on Saturday in Amman's International Stadium. The Vatican expects some 25,000 people to attend, many of them Palestinian, Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Later, he will meet one-on-one with refugees and disabled children at a church in Bethany beyond the Jordan, which many believe is the traditional site of Jesus' baptism.
Source : http://www.haaretz.com/
