40,000 faithful flock to Pope's sermon on the mount

May 15, 2009

The mass came after the Pope on Wednesday branded the West Bank separation barrier a symbol of "stalemate" between Israel and the Palestinians, urging both sides to break a "spiral of violence".

Tens of thousands of pilgrims, including Australians, thronged to the beat of drums and tambourines to witness the Pope celebrate his largest Holy Land mass.

At least 40,000 people filled the stands at the hastily constructed outdoor amphitheatre on Mount Precipice, just outside the city.

The crowds were joyous, with youngsters racing up and down the steep gravel slopes of the amphitheatre as groups of teenagers played guitar, beat drums and sang Christian hymns in several languages. The crowd waved a sea of flags. the rest