Pope Benedict shocked the world as his most blatant call for a Palestinian homeland took a surprising turn toward a welcome home.
Arab states have used the Palestinian cause time and time again across the decades to rally Arab causes but none have ever offered a home to the millions of displaced Palestinians. That the Roman Catholic Pontiff most known for triumphalism and religious intolerance would turn to the majority Muslim Palestine and offer them a safe haven has the Arab and Israeli world in shock.
Benedict in a closed door meeting with Palestinian leaders encouraged a mass exodus to the mile square city surrounded by Rome:
"Come to the Eternal City! You people multiply like rabbits and the Italians reproduce like mules. We need housekeepers, dishwashers, gardeners and pool boys. Clean our fountains, our facades and join our fading church!"
