DHAKA: The Pope is due to arrive in Jordan at the start of a three-day visit to the Middle East which will also take him to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Pope Francis will first travel to Amman, where he will celebrate Mass in a stadium, and later meet Syrian refugees.

The official purpose of the visit is to improve ties with the Orthodox Church.

But correspondents say many will expect Pope Francis to use his influence to try to ease tensions in the region.

The Pope will be accompanied by a rabbi and an imam - friends from his native Argentina - and hopes to improve relations between Christians, Muslims and Jews in the Holy Land.

His journey comes only a few weeks after the latest round of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed, reports the BBC.

**Lawyers’ rally at SC postponed

BDST: 1232 HRS, MAY 24, 2014