March 14, 2000. Copyright, 2000, Graphic News. All rights reserved

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND
By Elisabeth Ribbans

LONDON, March 14, Graphic News:  THE PopeÕs Jubilee 2000 pilgrimage to the Holy Land Š the first papal visit to the region since that by Pope Paul VI in 1964 Š has been heralded as a highly important step towards improving relations between Christians, Jews and Muslims.

One Israeli government minister has called the event possibly Ņthe most important visit to the state since it was formed in 1948.Ó Although Israeli police are mounting their biggest-ever security operation, a recent opinion poll showed almost two thirds of Israelis felt positive about the PopeÕs arrival. At least $7 million has been spent preparing for the visit.

There are around 175,000 Christians in Israel and the Palestinian territories, representing around two percent of the population. The Vatican estimates that 106,000 are Catholics, with the rest belonging mainly to Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox and Protestant churches. The vast majority of them are Arabs.

During his six-day tour, the Pope will hold mass in the mainly Christian town of Nazareth, where Jesus spent his boyhood. He will also visit Bethlehem where a meeting with PLO leader Yasser Arafat is scheduled. In Jerusalem, a city that is sacred to all three religions, Pope John Paul IIÕs itinerary will include meetings with IsraelÕs two chief rabbis, the grand mufti and leaders of other Christian denominations, as well as visits to the Western Wall and Yad Vashem, IsraelÕs Holocaust memorial.

During a Day of Pardon mass in Rome on March 12, the Pope begged forgiveness for the past sins of Catholics, including wrongs against the Jews. IsraelÕs Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Meir Lau, who like the pontiff was born in Poland, said he hoped the Pope would go further while visiting the memorial and apologise specifically for the VaticanÕs alleged indifference to the suffering of Jews during World War Two.
/ENDS

Source: Vatican Information Service