There are several holy books in this region (and more in other parts of the world). Here, Pope Benedict XVI holds up the Gospels in Amman this weekend.
As he greets the faithful and others in Jordan — including Christians from other Arab countries (Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq) who will not be able to join the Pope in his visit to the Holy Land, he appears to be reflecting on the tests that lie ahead. Is he up to it?
This graphic from AFP shows the Pope’s itinerary during his Holy Land trip: