After a joyous welcome from the gathered faithful , Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Saturday at a stadium in Jordan on the first leg of a Holy Land trip intended to promote a message of unity . His trip has been billed as a `` pilgrimage for prayer , '' with its roots in faith , not politics . But in a region where religion and politics are so closely intertwined , his every remark will take on an added significance . The Holy Land trip , also taking in Bethlehem and Jerusalem , is the first for Francis as leader of the Roman Catholic Church , and just the fourth for any pontiff in the modern era . Everything to know about Pope Francis . Thousands of believers packed the International Stadium in Amman for the Mass in what is a majority Muslim nation with a significant Christian community . Many cheered and waved as the Pope arrived . In his homily , Francis spoke of the need for tolerance and diversity , and urged everyone to put aside grievances and divisions . `` The mission of the Holy Spirit is to beget harmony ... and to create peace in different situations and between different people , '' he said . `` Let us ask the Spirit to prepare our hearts to encounter our brothers and sisters so that we may overcome our differences rooted in political thinking , language , culture and religion . '' Christian refugees from Syria , Iraq and the Palestinian territories were among those present , and 1,400 children received their First Communion at the Mass . Small groups of cheering supporters earlier lined the road , waving flags and chanting `` Long live the Pope '' as Francis ' motorcade left the airport in Amman at the start of his three-day visit to the region . The Pope 's first stop was at al-Husseini Royal Palace in Amman , where he met with Jordan 's King Abdullah II . In televised remarks after that meeting , Francis paid tribute to Jordan 's efforts to promote interfaith tolerance and to the welcome that the small nation has given to Palestinian refugees and , more recently , those fleeing war-torn Syria . Francis said it was `` necessary and urgent '' that a peaceful solution was found to the crisis in Syria . He also called for a `` right solution with regard to the situation between Israel and the Palestinians . '' Middle East peace talks recently stalled despite high-profile efforts by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to push them forward . `` I grasp this opportunity to renew my esteem and respect for the Muslim community and show my appreciation for the work carried out by his Majesty the King , which is promoting further understanding between peoples of different faith and communities of different faith , '' Francis said . His visit marks the 50th anniversary of the landmark meeting between Pope Paul VI and the then-spiritual leader of the world 's Orthodox Christians , Patriarch Athenagoras , in Jerusalem . Landmark meeting . While in Jordan , Francis will greet some of the 600,000 Syrians that have fled since the start of the civil war in 2011 as well as refugees from Iraq . He will also visit the River Jordan , where many Christians believe Jesus was baptized . Accompanying Francis on his trip are Rabbi Abraham Skorka , who co-wrote a book with the pontiff , and Sheikh Omar Abboud , who leads Argentina 's Muslim community . The religion of the Pope 's traveling companions , both of whom hail from his home country , Argentina , is no coincidence . `` It 's highly symbolic , of course , '' said the Rev . Thomas Rosica , a consultant to the Vatican press office . `` But it also sends a pragmatic message to Muslims , Christians and Jews that it 's possible to work together -- not as a system of checks and balances but as friends . '' In Bethlehem , Frances will greet children from refugee camps , celebrate Mass in Manger Square , lunch with Palestinian families and visit the site of Jesus ' birth . The Pope is expected to call for a Palestinian state , which has long been Vatican policy . And in Jerusalem , the pontiff will meet the city 's grand mufti and chief rabbis , visit the Western Wall and Yad Vashem , a memorial to the Holocaust , and lay a wreath on the grave of the founder of modern Zionism , Theodor Herzl . He will also celebrate Mass at the site of the Last Supper . Francis will meet with the President of the Palestinian Authority , Mahmoud Abbas , in Bethlehem , and with Israel 's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres while in Jerusalem . Pope Francis in the Holy Land : 5 things to know .
Pope Francis calls for peace and harmony as he celebrates Mass in Amman . Pontiff urges a swift solution to the Syrian crisis and peace in the Middle East . `` Highly symbolic '' visit sends message of unity in volatile region , Vatican says . The Pope is also expected to call attention to the poor and downtrodden during his visit .