BETHLEHEM, West Bank (Reuters) - Pope Benedict told Palestinians in Bethlehem on Wednesday that he hoped the wall Israel has built in and round the West Bank would be taken down.

“I have seen, ... overshadowing much of Bethlehem, the wall that intrudes into your territories, separating neighbors and dividing families,” the pope said before leaving the town where Jesus was born. “Although walls can be easily built, we all know that they do not last forever. The can be taken down.”

Stressing the need first to remove “the walls that we build around our hearts” and bring conflict to an end, he said: “My earnest wish for you, the people of Palestine, is that this will happen soon, and that you will at last be able to enjoy the peace, freedom and stability that have eluded you for so long.”