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  • Jordan’s King Abdullah, right, walking and speaking to Pope Francis, who was leaving for the West Bank after his visit to Jordan. Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
    Jordan’s King Abdullah, right, walking and speaking to Pope Francis, who was leaving for the West Bank after his visit to Jordan. Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
  • Pope Francis prays on a visit to Bethany on May 24, 2014, a site on the eastern bank of the River Jordan where Christians believe Jesus was baptised. Sami Khahman/AFP Photo
    Pope Francis prays on a visit to Bethany on May 24, 2014, a site on the eastern bank of the River Jordan where Christians believe Jesus was baptised. Sami Khahman/AFP Photo
  • Pope Francis smiles during a mass near River Jordan on May 24, 2014. The pontiff called for urgent steps to end Syria’s three-year civil war as he arrived in neighbouring Jordan on the first leg of his Middle East tour aimed at bringing hope to the region’s dwindling Christian population. Ali Jarekj/Reuters
    Pope Francis smiles during a mass near River Jordan on May 24, 2014. The pontiff called for urgent steps to end Syria’s three-year civil war as he arrived in neighbouring Jordan on the first leg of his Middle East tour aimed at bringing hope to the region’s dwindling Christian population. Ali Jarekj/Reuters
  • Pope Francis, third from right, with King Abdullah II of Jordan, centre-left, and Queen Rania, top-centre, as they visit Bethany, a site on the eastern bank of the River Jordan. Sami Khahman/AFP Photo
    Pope Francis, third from right, with King Abdullah II of Jordan, centre-left, and Queen Rania, top-centre, as they visit Bethany, a site on the eastern bank of the River Jordan. Sami Khahman/AFP Photo
  • Pope Francis, centre, bids farewell to the faithful after celebrating a mass at Amman International Stadium, Jordan on May 24, 2014. The pontiff held a mass service lasting about three hours at the stadium attended by about 20,000 people, waving Jordanian and Vatican flags. Nader Daoud/EPA
    Pope Francis, centre, bids farewell to the faithful after celebrating a mass at Amman International Stadium, Jordan on May 24, 2014. The pontiff held a mass service lasting about three hours at the stadium attended by about 20,000 people, waving Jordanian and Vatican flags. Nader Daoud/EPA
  • Pope Francis, third from right, with King Abdullah II of Jordan, centre-left, and Queen Rani, top-centre, as they visit Bethany, a site on the eastern bank of the River Jordan. Sami Khahman/AFP Photo
    Pope Francis, third from right, with King Abdullah II of Jordan, centre-left, and Queen Rani, top-centre, as they visit Bethany, a site on the eastern bank of the River Jordan. Sami Khahman/AFP Photo
  • Pope Francis (not pictured) is received by crowds waving the Jordanian and Vatican flags as he arrives to celebrate a mass at Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan, 24 May 2014. Amel Pain/EPA
    Pope Francis (not pictured) is received by crowds waving the Jordanian and Vatican flags as he arrives to celebrate a mass at Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan, 24 May 2014. Amel Pain/EPA
  • The pontiff's arrival at Marka International Airport in Amman on May 24, 2014. Andrew Medichin AFP Photo
    The pontiff's arrival at Marka International Airport in Amman on May 24, 2014. Andrew Medichin AFP Photo
  • Pope Francis, left, waving from a Jordanian military helicopter as he leaves Jordan on his way to Bethlehem, the West Bank. Jamal Nasrallah/ EPA
    Pope Francis, left, waving from a Jordanian military helicopter as he leaves Jordan on his way to Bethlehem, the West Bank. Jamal Nasrallah/ EPA

In pictures: Pope Francis’s Holy Land tour begins in Jordan

Rob Gurdebeke

May 25, 2014

Pope Francis left Jordan for the West Bank on Sunday after meeting King Abdullah II of Jordan and Queen Rania, and touring Bethany - the eastern bank of the River Jordan.

PalestineQueen RaniaJordanMiddle East