Pope celebrates first open-air Mass of Middle East trip, drawing Catholics from across region

Pope leads open-air Mass in Amman stadium

AMMAN, Jordan — Pope Benedict XVI celebrated the first open-air Mass of his Middle East trip Sunday, drawing Catholics from Iraq and other Christian communities across the region.

As many as 20,000 people attended the service in a sports stadium on Benedict’s third-day in Jordan. He departs Monday for Israel and the Palestinian territories on a trip intended to strengthen frayed ties with Muslims and Jews.

Benedict is seeking to encourage his beleaguered flock in the Middle East. War and economic hardships have led many to flee their countries and the region, threatening the very existence of the ancient communities.

As the pope was driven into the stadium people held up flags from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Syria.

“The holy father speaks here and his voice is heard in the Middle East especially by Iraqi Christians who are suffering a lot,” said Father Raymond Mousalli, an Iraqi priest.

There are 20,000 Iraqi Christians in Jordan and Mousalli said that Iraqis of all faiths must sit together and find peace after years of war.

“We need all Iraqis to sit down and talk together. We want one strong Iraq, united in peace with all of its partners,” Moussali said.

Peter Samaan, 15-year-old Iraqi dressed in a white communion robe, said he hoped Benedict could one day travel to Iraq.

“We Christians want to return. We are strangers in this country.” Samaan said, adding that his family fled Iraq to avoid persecution.

In the afternoon, Benedict was scheduled to travel some 30 miles (50 kilometers) from Amman to Bethany beyond the Jordan river, the site of Christ’s baptism. He will also bless the foundation stones of Latin and Greek Melkite churches.

Associated Press Writer Dale Gavelak contributed to this report.