Pope John Paul has called for an end to the stand-off between Palestinians and Israelis at Bethlehem's Nativity Church, saying it was marked by "blackmail and an intolerable exchange of accusations".
The Pope made another peace appeal for the Middle East during his Sunday address, decrying the violence seen in an unending stream of news and images.
"These are pictures that have more force than any appeal and push us not to leave any attempt untried, at any level, so that that land, blessed by God, can emerge soon from the spiral of hate and violence," he said.
His appeal was centred on the stand-off at the Church of the Nativity, which has been going on for nearly three weeks.
"For almost 20 days, the basilica and its adjacent buildings have been a theatre of conflicts, blackmail and an intolerable exchange of accusations," he said.
The Franciscans inside the basilica have accused the Israelis of "barbarity".
In his address, the Pope said the Bethlehem church and all the Holy Sites should "quickly be restored to prayer and pilgrims, to God and man". He asked for prayers so that both sides could find "the courage of peace".
He said: "May Israelis and Palestinians learn to live together and may the Holy Land finally return to being a sacred land and a land of peace."
Besieged civilians in the Church of the Nativity said on Saturday they were almost out of food and Israeli army was reinforcing positions around the holy site. Face-to-face talks set for Thursday were postponed indefinitely because of a dispute about who should attend.
Israel said its troops will not leave until the siege is resolved to its satisfaction. - (Reuters)