Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to his Bethlehem residence early on Wednesday evening, shortly after the pontiff left a local refugee camp.

Following about an hour-long, closed-door meeting, Abbas addressed the pope, saying that his visit "will remain a historical and eternal one."

He also said that Palestinians "will reminisce [the papal visit] with all love and appreciation and with hopes for a tomorrow with no occupation, no walls and no checkpoints."

"All Palestinians, Christians and Muslims alike, were happy for this historical visit which included our cherished Jerusalem; place of the Church of the [Holy] Sepulcher and the Aqsa Mosque." "Your Holiness," Abbas added, "We need your support for our just rights; we need your prayers for peace to prevail."

The president concluded his remarks by welcoming the pope to return to Palestine, where the Palestinian people will "be happy to see you on the land of our independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital."

Abbas added that "it would be a great pleasure for us to honor you amongst us in the celebrations of next Christmas."