Pope to start delicate Middle East trip in Jordan

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* Expected to address exodus of Christians from Middle East * Will meet refugees from Syria, Iraq * Palestinians see visit as a morale booster * Vatican refers to "the State of Palestine" By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN, May 24 (Reuters) - Pope Francis arrives in Jordan on Saturday to start an intense three-day trip to the Middle East, bringing hope to the dwindling Christian population and an appeal to members of all religions to work together for peace. "This is **t a protocol visit," Patriarch Louis Sako, Iraq's senior Churchman, told reporters in Amman on the eve of the visit. The Christian population has been declining steadily across the Middle East for generations. In Israel and the occupied West Bank, more Palestinian Christians are looking to leave, blaming Israel for withering their eco**mic prospects and hobbling their freedom of movement.

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