Jordan ? Pope Benedict XVI told approximately 20,000 followers in an open-air Mass on Sunday that Christians in the Middle East are “deeply touched by difficulties and uncertainties” but that they must be strong in their faith to counter religious extremism.

The pope’s message on the final day of his pilgrimage to Jordan was for Christians to persevere as their populations decline in a Middle East that offers limited economic opportunity and is torn by violence and radicalism. He called on Roman Catholics to reach across religious divides to make peace.

“May you never forget the great dignity which derives from your Christian heritage, or fail to sense the loving solidarity of all your brothers and sisters in the church throughout the world,” said the 82-year-old pontiff, who leaves Jordan today for the next leg of his trip, a visit to Israel and the West Bank.