Pope Benedict XVI expressed his hope that the Catholic Church could play a part in bringing peace to the Middle East as he arrived today on what he described as a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

The pontiff started his week-long tour of the region in Jordan, where he is hoping to mend frayed ties with Muslims. He is also due to visit Israel - where he will be protected by 80,000 police and secret service officers - and the Palestinian territories.

Responding to an address from King Abdullah II after a red carpet welcome in Amman, Benedict said that his visit “gives me a welcome opportunity to speak of my deep respect for the Muslim community".

He added: “Religious freedom is, of course, a fundamental human right, and it is my fervent hope and prayer that respect for the inalienable rights and dignity of every man and woman will come to be increasingly affirmed and defended, not only throughout the Middle East, but in every part of the world.

“I come to Jordan as a pilgrim, to venerate holy places that have played such an important part in some of the key events of biblical history."

The Pope angered many in the Muslim world with a 2006 speech in which he quoted a Medieval text that characterised some of the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings as “evil and inhuman”, particularly “his command to spread by the sword the faith”.

He has already said that he was “deeply sorry" over the reaction to his speech and that the passage he quoted did not reflect his own opinion.

But his comments continue to fuel criticism. Jordan’s hard-line Muslim Brotherhood said today that its members would boycott the Pope's visit because he did not issue a public apology ahead of time as they demanded.

Despite the controversy, Benedict expressed hope his visit and the power of the Catholic church could help further peace efforts between Israelis and Palestinians.“We are not a political power but a spiritual power that can contribute,” he told reporters on his plane before landing in Amman.

The Pope was met at the airport by King Abdullah, Queen Rania and both Muslim and Christian leaders. A Jordanian army band equipped with bagpipes and drums played the Vatican and Jordanian national anthems before the Pope and the King inspected the honour guard.

Benedict’s three-day stay in Jordan is his first visit to an Arab country as pope. During his time in the country, Benedict is scheduled to meet with Muslim religious leaders at Amman’s largest mosque - his second visit to a Muslim place of worship since his enthronement four years ago.

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