Pope meets the King and Queen of Jordan

(8 May 2009) SHOTLIST 1. Pope’s convoy arriving at Royal Palace, Benedict XVI getting out of car, walking on red carpet 2. Pope walking on red carpet, being welcomed by King Abdullah II, Queen Rania and their children 3. Pope walking inside the palace with the royal family 4. Wide of guard of honour STORYLINE The pope arrived at Jordan’s Royal Palace in Amman on Friday to pay a courtesy visit to King Abdullah II and his wife, Queen Rania, on his first visit to the Middle East, where he hopes to improve frayed ties with Muslims. Earlier on Friday, the pope was met at the airport by the king and praised the moderate Arab country as a leader in efforts to promote peace in the region and dialogue between Christians and Muslims. Speaking to reporters on the plane, the pope said he hoped the Catholic church could play a role in the Middle East peace process. The pope said the Catholic church was not a political power, but a spiritual force that he hoped could contribute t