"During his (August) visit to the Vatican, King Abdullah II invited His Holiness to visit Jordan," Vatican foreign affairs official Dominique Mamberti said in Amman.

"We are currently looking at the preparations in detail for the visit, which should take place next year.

After meeting Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, Mamberti said that Pope would start his journey to the occupied territories from Jordan.

During an audience at the Vatican on October 17, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas invited Pope Francis to the Middle East, saying he would "walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ".

Pope Francis had already said he would like to visit the Middle East in 2014, but the Vatican has not yet officially confirmed the trip.

Roman Catholic sources have also said that the Pope may pay visit to a refugee camp for Syrians in Jordan.

RA/SHI