Church officials have released the official schedule for the Pope Francis’s visit to the Holy Land in May.
During the trip, which will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic meeting between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras, Francis will meet the leaders of the three nation he is visiting, as well as the less fortunate.
The schedule also confirms that Pope Francis will meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, considered “first among equals” of the Orthodox bishops, May 25 in Jerusalem and again the following day. On May 25, the two are scheduled to sign a joint declaration.
Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem told a news conference yesterday: “We are called to be one, and the pope is coming to remind us of this and renew the spirit of unity and fraternal love,” “The logo and the motto that have been chosen for this pilgrimage focus in on this desire for unity.”
The official logo of the pilgrimage depicts the embrace of Sts. Peter and Andrew, patrons of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, the patriarch added.
Patriarch Twal said Pope Francis has requested modest welcoming ceremonies throughout the visit. In Amman on May 24, he will meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah and Queen Rania. The following day, in Bethlehem, West Bank, Pope Francis will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Then on Jerusalem May 26, he will meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres and separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In Jordan, the pope will meet with refugees and disabled young people. In Bethlehem, he will eat lunch with Palestinian families at the Franciscan Convent of Casa Nova, following which he will greet children from the Dehiyshe, Aida and Beit Jibrin refugee camps at the Phoenix Center of the Dehiyshe Refugee Camp.
The pope will celebrate two public Masses during his visit; at the International Stadium in Amman and in Bethlehem’s Manger Square. Patriarch Twal said he hoped travel restrictions would be eased to allow Christians from Gaza to attend the Bethlehem Mass. He also said a special place would be made for Christians traveling from Israel’s Galilee region to the Mass in Bethlehem.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.