Jordan's openness has contributed to the country's far-sighted political initiatives in peace-building throughout the Middle East, Pope Benedict XVI said Monday in a speech concluding his four-day visit to the Kingdom.

During a red carpet farewell ceremony at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), His Majesty King Abdullah said it is vital to make justice real for those suffering today, whether from occupation, deprivation or disrespect, emphasising that the Middle East has been entangled in conflict for too long.

"The Palestinian people in particular have suffered under occupation and its evils,” said the King at the farewell ceremony of the Pope, as he departed for Israel.

"It is time this suffering ended, through a settlement that will guarantee the Palestinians their rights to freedom and statehood, and give Israelis the acceptance and security they need," said the King at the ceremony, attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, several Royal family members and Muslim and Christian religious leaders.

King Abdullah stressed that the two-state solution enjoys the support of the international community precisely because it offers the only promise of lasting peace. "Let us all, together, work for this peace," said the King.

King Abdullah, who welcomed the Pope's visit to the country, underlined that "it is vital to continue the dialogue of respect that we have begun".

"Let us engage at all levels to spread understanding, especially among youth, the wellspring of our future," King Abdullah said in the farewell ceremony.

In a speech at QAIA, the Pontiff urged Muslim and Christian Jordanians to build on the firm foundations of religious tolerance that he said enable the members of different communities to live together in peace and mutual respect.

Stressing that the visit to the King Hussein Ben Talal Mosque, where he met with Muslim and Christian leaders, was the highlight of the visit to Jordan, the Pope referred to other places he visited and initiatives he launched.

The Pope held a Mass in Amman on Sunday attended by thousands from Jordan and other countries and blessed the foundation stone of the Latin and Greek Melkite Churches at the Baptism Site and the cornerstone of Madaba University, where he said young Muslim and Christian adults will benefit from tertiary education, enabling them to contribute to the socio-economic development of their nation.

The Pontiff also visited the Moses Memorial Church on Mount Nebo and the Lady of Peace Centre, an Amman-based centre for persons with disabilities.