Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday issued a greeting to the people of the Middle East, saying he looked forward to his visit scheduled to begin Friday when he travels to Jordan.

"My primary intention is to visit the places made holy by the life of Jesus, and, to pray at them for the gift of peace and unity for your families, and all those for whom the Holy Land and the Middle East is home," Benedict said.

The Vatican has described the voyage by leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics, that includes visits to Israel and Palestinian Territories, as a non-political, religious pilgrimage.

However, both right-wing Israelis and Muslim extremists have threatened to disrupt the 82-year-old German-born pontiff's May 8-15 trip.

On Wednesday, during his traditional general audience, Benedict mentioned his planned meetings in the Holy Land with representatives from the Muslim and Jewish communities "with whom great strides have been made in dialogue and cultural exchange".

He also adressed the region's Christians whose numbers have decreased in recent years.

"May we all praise God for His goodness. May we all be people of hope. May we all be steadfast in our desire and efforts for peace," the pontiff said. (dpa)