Both the Palestinian and Israeli leaders have accepted an invitation from Pope Francis to visit the Vatican together next month.

The Pontiff made the offer during a visit to Bethlehem on the second day of his tour of the Middle East.

This morning the Pope said mass in Bethlehem's Manger Square.

During his journey to the Presidential Palace of Bethlehem to Manger Square, Pope Francis got out of the jeep and prayed before the wall dividing Bethlehem from Israel.

The Mass was attended by the president of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, and groups of faithful from the Gaza Strip and Israel, as well as immigrant workers from Asia.

"What a great grace it is to celebrate the Eucharist in the place where Jesus was born" the Pope said.

"I thank God and I thank all of you who have welcomed me on my pilgrimage: President Mahmoud Abbas and the other civil authorities; Patriarch Fouad Twal and the other bishops and ordinaries of the Holy Land, the priests, the consecrated persons and all those who labour to keep faith, hope and love alive in these lands; the faithful who have come from Gaza and Galilee, and the immigrants from Asia and Africa" he added

Reporter Tom Rayner is in Bethlehem.