The Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, has invited the Pope to visit Jerusalem and places holy to Christians.
During their first meeting at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the offer, but no date has yet been set for the visit.
Jerusalem is a key sticking point in Israeli-Palestinian relations, with Palestinians hoping a future state would include the east of the city.
The Israeli President, Moshe Katsav, met the Pope last month and invited him to visit the Jewish state.
