In 1999, on a visit to Bethlehem, he reaffirmed what he said was the Palestinians' "natural right to a homeland." On 15 February 2000, the Holy See concluded a basic agreement with the PLO, as representative of the Palestinian people and on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, which committed the PLO and PA to respect freedom of religion in general, as well as freedom of action for Catholic communities and establishments under Palestinian control. In August 2001, Pope John Paul met Arafat for the 10th time and the Pope again expressed support for the rights of the Palestinians, and called for an end to the violence in the Middle East. The Vatican continued to want an international status for Jerusalem.