AMMAN, Jordan — Pope Francis thanked Jordan on Saturday for welcoming hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria, calling for an “urgent,” peaceful solution to the conflict in the neighboring nation as he began a three-day visit to the Middle East.

Francis also lauded Jordan for the “climate of serene coexistence” enjoyed by Christians and Muslims in the desert kingdom. He called for greater protections for minority Christians across the region in a speech to King Abdullah II and Jordanian political and religious leaders.

“Religious freedom is in fact a fundamental human right and I cannot fail to express my hope that it will be upheld throughout the Middle East and the entire world,” he said.

Francis’ plane touched down at Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport, where an honor guard, Catholic leaders and Prince Ghazi bin Mohammed, King Abdullah II’s chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs, met him. He immediately headed to the king’s palace.

At the palace, Francis met with Abdullah and Queen Rania, their children gathered for the meeting. In his palace speech, Francis said Jordan’s “generous welcome” to Syrian refugees warranted international appreciation and support.

Jordan last month opened a third refugee camp, evidence of the strains the conflict is creating for the country. Jordan is hosting 600,000 registered Syrian refugees, or 10 percent of its population, but officials estimate the real number is closer to 1.3 million.

“I thank the authorities of the kingdom for all they are doing and I encourage them to persevere in their efforts to seek lasting peace for the entire region,” Fracis said. “This goal urgently requires that a peaceful solution be found to the crisis in Syria, as well as a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

Francis is due to get a firsthand look at the plight of Syrian, Iraqi and Palestinian refugees later Sunday when he celebrates Mass at Amman’s international stadium and then meets with some 600 refugees and disabled children at a church in Bethany beyond the Jordan, which many believe is the site of Jesus’ baptism.