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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Pope Celebrates Mass in Jesus' Hometown

40,000 join Benedict in Nazareth, Israel's largest Arab city

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(AP) – Pope Benedict XVI celebrated mass today with 40,000 adoring followers in Jesus' hometown of Nazareth, the AP reports, where he urged Christian and Muslim residents to overcome recent strife and "reject the destructive power of hatred and prejudice." On the fourth day of his Holy Land pilgrimage, the pontiff traveled to Israel's largest Arab city, where the government tore down an unauthorized mosque near the Basilica of the Annunciation.

The pope's trip has been freighted with the region's most sensitive issues, from the legacy of the Holocaust to interfaith relations. Today's mass was celebrated on Mount Precipice, where Christian tradition says a mob tried to throw Jesus off a cliff. Later he will meet with PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who resists the idea of an independent Palestinian state, which Benedict called for yesterday in Bethlehem.

A Vatican flag is waved during Mass on Mount Precipice in the northern Israeli town of Nazareth, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, Thursday, May 14, 2009.
A Vatican flag is waved during Mass on Mount Precipice in the northern Israeli town of Nazareth, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, Thursday, May 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Thousands of pilgrims from around the world were on hand to greet Pope Benedict XVI in Jesus' childhood hometown of Nazareth.
Thousands of pilgrims from around the world were on hand to greet Pope Benedict XVI in Jesus' childhood hometown of Nazareth.   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Pope Benedict XVI, in white, aboard his popemobile, arrives to celebrate Mass on Mount Precipice in the northern Israeli town of Nazareth, Thursday, May 14, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI, in white, aboard his popemobile, arrives to celebrate Mass on Mount Precipice in the northern Israeli town of Nazareth, Thursday, May 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Pope Benedict XVI waves to worshipers from his Popemobile as he arrives for a Mass on Mount Precipice in the northern Israeli town of Nazareth, Thursday, May 14, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI waves to worshipers from his Popemobile as he arrives for a Mass on Mount Precipice in the northern Israeli town of Nazareth, Thursday, May 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
A view of a crucifix being carried in procession to a Mass on Mount Precipice in the northern Israeli town of Nazareth, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, Thursday, May 14, 2009.
A view of a crucifix being carried in procession to a Mass on Mount Precipice in the northern Israeli town of Nazareth, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, Thursday, May 14, 2009.   (PIER PAOLO CITO)
Pope Benedict XVI, aboard his popemobile, arrives to celebrate Mass on Mount Precipice in the northern Israeli town of Nazareth, Thursday, May 14, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI, aboard his popemobile, arrives to celebrate Mass on Mount Precipice in the northern Israeli town of Nazareth, Thursday, May 14, 2009.   (PIER PAOLO CITO)
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3 comments
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Robert_Dada
May 14, 09 7:57 AM CDT
"Today's mass was celebrated on Mount Precipice, where Christian tradition says a mob tried to throw Jesus off a cliff." - Who's up for a reenactment with the pontiff in the lead role? Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Rob
May 14, 09 8:53 AM CDT
Wow. What a well thought out and considered suggestion!
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TerrifiedCitizen
May 14, 09 11:58 AM CDT
Very good Robert... but the CC has made a career of being friends with the world rulers/powers, and for just a little while longer enjoys their political protection; something that Jesus didn't. But, that protection is waning. Reply
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