Good Friday Collection For Holy Land Christians

Belgium Papal Tree Gift Lighted Up

Pope Benedict XVI kisses a young bagpipe player at the end of his weekly audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican December 23, 2009. (Daylife)

Pope's Christmas Curia Speech

Pictures courtesy of Daylife

Holy Father: Pray for Chrisitians in Holy Land

Pope Emphasizes Peace & Year of the Priest

Pope Benedict XVI leaves St. Peters's square at the Vatican after his weekly audience on June 24, 2009. (Daylife-Getty Images/AP/Reuters)

Solemnity of Corpus Christi

Via CNA:

City, Jun 14, 2009 / 10:15 am (CNA).- In his Sunday Angelus address to 15,000 pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about Corpus Christi, the Body of Christ, as a manifestation of God and proof that God is love.

Benedict XVI began by explaining the “cosmic dimension” of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.

“It evokes firstly, at least in our hemisphere, this beautiful and fragrant season in which spring gives way to summer, the sun is strong in the sky and in the fields the crops mature,” he said. “The feast days of the Church, as in the Hebrew tradition, are intertwined with the rhythm of the solar year, of sowing and reaping.”

“This is particularly true of today’s solemnity, at the center of which is the bread, fruit of the earth and the heavens. This is why the Eucharistic bread is a visible sign of Him in whom heaven and earth, and God and man, have become one.”

“And this shows that the bond between the seasons and the liturgical year in not merely exterior.”

“Corpus Domini is a manifestation of God, proof that God is love,” the Holy Father explained, using the Latin for “Body of the Lord.”

“In a unique and peculiar way, this feast speaks to us of divine love, what it is and what it does.”

“It tells us for example that it is regenerated in the giving of oneself to another, that in giving we receive, it is never lacking, it never runs out. As the hymn of St Thomas Aquinas intones: ‘nec sumptus consumitur.’”

Pope Benedict was alluding to the Angelic Doctor’s hymn “Lauda Sion.” The line he quoted roughly translates to “Not even being consumed is it used up.”

“Love,” the Holy Father continued, “transforms all things, and therefore it is understood that at the very heart of today’s feast of Corpus Domini there is the mystery of transubstantiation, the sign of Christ --Caritas that transforms the world. Looking at Him and adoring Him we say: yes love exists, and because it exists things can change for the better and we can hope.”

“It is the hope that comes from the Christ’s love that gives us the strength to live and to face difficulties. This is why we sing as we carry the Blessed Sacrament in procession, we sing and we praise God who revealed himself to us by hiding himself in the symbol of broken bread.”

The Pontiff concluded, “We all need this bread, because the path to freedom, justice and peace is long and tiring.”

After the Marian prayer, Pope Benedict recalled that from June 24-26 a United Nations conference on the global economic crisis will be held in New York. He invoked the spirit of wisdom and of human solidarity upon the conference participants so that the crisis may become an opportunity “capable of favoring greater attention to the dignity of every human being and the promotion of an equal distribution of decisional power and resources, with particular attention to the unfortunately ever growing number of poor.”

Benedict XVI also recalled the beginning of the Year for Priests, on June 19, with the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The year, called by the Pope to support vocations to the priesthood, takes place on the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney, known as the Curé d’Ars.

“I entrust to your prayers,” the Pope explained, “this new spiritual initiative, which follows the Pauline Year that is near to its conclusion. May this new jubilee year be a propitious occasion for deepening the value and the importance of the priestly mission and for asking the Lord to gift his Church with numerous and holy priests.”

Pope Departs-"Bridges of Lasting Friendship"

Abe Foxman comes to Pope Benedict XVI's defense:

Abe Foxman (national director of the Anti-Defamation League): “Yet a close examination of Benedict’s text and actions shows that he did deliver an appropriate speech focusing on the concepts of remembrance. He also met briefly with Holocaust survivors. It must be noted also that in recent months Benedict has made strong statements repudiating Holocaust denial. And, in the past, Benedict has talked about his personal experiences as a member of Hitler Youth and the Germany Army.

Therefore, it would do us well to keep things in perspective and recognize what this pope has said and done. By coming to Israel at this time, the 82-year-old pontiff is solidifying the Vatican’s formal relationship with the state of Israel, launched when a historic diplomatic agreement was signed in 1993. His trip demonstrates the Church’s commitment to the security and survival of Israel as a Jewish state.

Benedict is also establishing a track record for future popes. No longer will Pope John Paul’s journey be able to be portrayed as an aberration or a personal mission. Indeed, Benedict’s trip will institutionalize that every pope visit Israel and commit the billion-member Roman Catholic Church to the importance of Israel as the Jewish state.” — from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Ynet's coverage of Pres. Peres' departure remarks:

President Peres was there to bid farewell to the pope on Friday, and told him: "Your journey to the Holy Land was a heartfelt example of the exercise of spiritual values. It constituted a significant contribution to the new relations between the Vatican and Jerusalem.

"It was a profound demonstration of the enduring dialogue between the Jewish people and the hundreds of millions of Christian believers throughout the world."

Referring to the pope's speech at Yad Vashem, the president said: "Your statements during the journey here carried a substantive weight.

In particular your declaration that the Holocaust, the Shoah, must not be forgotten nor denied, and that anti-Semitism and discrimination, in any form, and in any place, must be fought intensively."

Peres also spoke about the needs to fight religious fanaticism. "Today's political and spiritual leaders face a profound challenge: how to divorce religion from terror.

"How to prevent terrorists from hijacking the religious conscience by cloaking an act of terrorism in the false guise of a religious mission… I believe that your great spiritual leadership… Can help people to recognize that God is not in the hearts of terrorists."

Pope Benedict XVI (C) walks alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and President Shimon Peres (R) during his departure ceremony at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv on May 15, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI backed a two-state solution as recipe to end bloodshed, war and "terrorism" in the Middle East as he wrapped up his Holy Land pilgrimage. (Getty Photos-Day Life Website)

Vatican Radio's full text of Pope's departure speech:

Mr President,

Mr Prime Minister,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As I prepare to return to Rome, may I share with you some of the powerful impressions that my pilgrimage to the Holy Land has left with me. I had fruitful discussions with the civil authorities both in Israel and in the Palestinian Territories, and I witnessed the great efforts that both governments are making to secure people’s well-being. I have met the leaders of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, and I rejoice to see the way that they work together in caring for the Lord’s flock. I have also had the opportunity to meet the leaders of the various Christian Churches and ecclesial communities as well as the leaders of other religions in the Holy Land. This land is indeed a fertile ground for ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue, and I pray that the rich variety of religious witness in the region will bear fruit in a growing mutual understanding and respect.

Mr President, you and I planted an olive tree at your residence on the day that I arrived in Israel. The olive tree, as you know, is an image used by Saint Paul to describe the very close relations between Christians and Jews. Paul describes in his Letter to the Romans how the Church of the Gentiles is like a wild olive shoot, grafted onto the cultivated olive tree which is the People of the Covenant (cf. 11:17-24). We are nourished from the same spiritual roots. We meet as brothers, brothers who at times in our history have had a tense relationship, but now are firmly committed to building bridges of lasting friendship.

The ceremony at the Presidential Palace was followed by one of the most solemn moments of my stay in Israel – my visit to the Holocaust Memorial at Yad Vashem, where I met some of the survivors who suffered the evils of the Shoah. Those deeply moving encounters brought back memories of my visit three years ago to the death camp at Auschwitz, where so many Jews - mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, friends - were brutally exterminated under a godless regime that propagated an ideology of anti-Semitism and hatred. That appalling chapter of history must never be forgotten or denied.

On the contrary, those dark memories should strengthen our determination to draw closer to one another as branches of the same olive tree, nourished from the same roots and united in brotherly love.

Mr President, I thank you for the warmth of your hospitality, which is greatly appreciated, and I wish to put on record that I came to visit this country as a friend of the Israelis, just as I am a friend of the Palestinian people. Friends enjoy spending time in one another’s company, and they find it deeply distressing to see one another suffer.

No friend of the Israelis and the Palestinians can fail to be saddened by the continuing tension between your two peoples. No friend can fail to weep at the suffering and loss of life that both peoples have endured over the last six decades. Allow me to make this appeal to all the people of these lands: No more bloodshed! No more fighting! No more terrorism! No more war! Instead let us break the vicious circle of violence. Let there be lasting peace based on justice, let there be genuine reconciliation and healing.

Let it be universally recognized that the State of Israel has the right to exist, and to enjoy peace and security within internationally agreed borders. Let it be likewise acknowledged that the Palestinian people have a right to a sovereign independent homeland, to live with dignity and to travel freely. Let the two-state solution become a reality, not remain a dream. And let peace spread outwards from these lands, let them serve as a “light to the nations” (Is 42:6), bringing hope to the many other regions that are affected by conflict.

One of the saddest sights for me during my visit to these lands was the wall. As I passed alongside it, I prayed for a future in which the peoples of the Holy Land can live together in peace and harmony without the need for such instruments of security and separation, but rather respecting and trusting one another, and renouncing all forms of violence and aggression.

Mr President, I know how hard it will be to achieve that goal. I know how difficult is your task, and that of the Palestinian Authority. But I assure you that my prayers and the prayers of Catholics across the world are with you as you continue your efforts to build a just and lasting peace in this region.

It remains only for me to express my heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed in so many ways to my visit. To the Government, the organizers, the volunteers, the media, to all who have provided hospitality to me and those accompanying me, I am deeply grateful. Please be assured that you are remembered with affection in my prayers. To all of you, I say: thank you, and may God be with you. Shalom!

Relevant Links:

Pope kneels at Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Vatican Official site of Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Catholic News Agency Holy Land visit site

Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Papal visit site

Israeli Ministy of Tourism Papal visit site

Day Life photo exposition of Benedict XVI

Rabbi David Rosen, Orthodox Jew, leading Jewish-Catholic reconciliation

Pave the Way Foundation, promoting Catholic-Jewish bonds

Papal Coat of Arms on the side of the El Al plane taking Pope to Rome

International Service of Jewish-Christian Documentation Rome Center

"If I Were Not a Catholic" by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

Papal Videos-Western Wall & Chief Rabbis

Source: Vatican You Tube

Peres Warmly Welcomes Holy Father

“I’m very happy to be here in Israel and to be so cordially welcomed, and to receive these gifts… We are very close to the Jewish Nation; your faith is our faith.” Pope Benedict XVI

Arutz Sheva reports:

(IsraelNN.com) For the first official stop on his itinerary, Pope Benedict XVI called on President Shimon Peres in the official Presidential Residence in Jerusalem on Monday afternoon. The ceremonies included a choral presentation, and a ritual planting of an olive tree by the president and the pope.

President Peres greeted the Pope warmly, expressing happiness “that you are the pope at this important time.” Peres also said he was “very, very moved by your remarks at the airport. I want to thank you from the depth of my heart.”

The Pope responded, “I’m very happy to be here in Israel and to be so cordially welcomed, and to receive these gifts… We are very close to the Jewish Nation; your faith is our faith.”

Symbolic Gifts - Menorah, and Bible

Peres gave him two gifts: a nano-Bible – the entire 24 books of the Bible, from Genesis to Chronicles, written on a chip no bigger than a grain of sand - and a painting of a Menorah (candelabrum). The gift of a Menorah is symbolic both in that it is a symbol of the State of Israel, and in that the original Menorah from the Second Holy Temple is believed by many to be hidden in Vatican crypts, following the Roman sacking of the Temple some 1,930 years ago.

Peres then sat down with the Pope, and proceeded to refer to the agreement that Israeli and Vatican representatives have been attempting to negotiate for more than a decade. The talks revolve around Church demands for an exemption from Israeli property taxes, as well as other property demands. These include the outright transfer of six properties around the country to Church ownership, and a measure of control over the Last Supper Room above King David’s Tomb on Mount Zion, Jerusalem.

Peres said, “As you know, we tried to conclude as much as we could before your visit—“ At this point, the cameras and microphones were cut off, and the conversation continued away from the public eye.

Many Israeli groups are suspicious of the papal visit because of this very issue. Peres himself has been involved in these talks for many years; just last week he was reported as having pressured Interior Minister Eli Yishai to agree to sign away the six properties.

In his official address at the ceremony, Peres said, “The State of Israel greets you today most warmly, and welcomes you with an open heart… It is with deep appreciation that we welcome you. We are attentive to your message… We see in you a promoter of peace, a great spiritual leader, a potent bearer of the message of peace to this land and to all others.”

With what some view as his trademark optimism, and what others see as myopia, the president said, “The peoples of our region have tired of wars. We shall leave the divisions to history, and the new history we shall write in letters of faith and peace.”

“Spiritual leaders can pave the way for political leaders,” Peres said. “They can clear the mine-fields that obstruct the road to peace. The spiritual leaders should reduce animosity, so that political leaders do not resort to destructive means.” (Read entire article)

Photos courtesy of Reuters-Day Life

Read coverage of NYC Israeli Consulate's coverage of Pope's meeting with Pres. Peres here.

Pope Arrives in Israel-Video

Hat Tip: A Catholic View

Pope's Amman Homily

AMMAN, Jordan (CNN) -- Pope Benedict XVI urged greater respect for women Sunday at a historic Mass in the Middle East.

"Sadly, this God-given role of the dignity of women has not always been understood and esteemed," the pontiff said on his first visit to Jordan as pope.

"By its public witness of respect for women ... the Church in the Holy Land can make an important contribution to the advancement of a culture of true humanity and the building of the civilization of love," the pontiff said.

He also called on the faithful to oppose terrorism through their good example.

Living a good Christian life "means bearing witness to the love which inspires us to lay own our lives in the service of others, and thus to counter ways of thinking which justify taking innocent lives," he said.

The pontiff called on Christians in the Middle East to persevere, an acknowledgment that the Christian population has declined sharply in the past 50 years in the region where the religion was born. (Read entire article)

CNS reprint of Vatican's text of Pope's Homily:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I rejoice that we are able to celebrate this Eucharist together at the beginning of my Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Yesterday, from the heights of Mount Nebo, I stood and looked out upon this great land, the land of Moses, Elijah, and John the Baptist, the land where God’s ancient promises were fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus our Lord. This land witnessed his preaching and miracles, his death and resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church, the sacrament of a reconciled and renewed humanity. As I pondered the mystery of God’s fidelity, I prayed that the Church in these lands would be confirmed in hope and strengthened in her witness to the Risen Christ, the Savior of mankind. Truly, as Saint Peter tells us in today’s first reading, “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we are to be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Today’s joyful celebration of the Eucharistic sacrifice expresses the rich diversity of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land. I greet all of you with affection in the Lord. I thank His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, for his kind words of welcome. With respect and gratitude I likewise greet His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi Bin Mohammad, who represents the King of Jordan, and I thank him for his presence in our midst. My greeting goes also to the many young people from Catholic schools who today bring their enthusiasm to this Eucharistic celebration.

In the Gospel we have just heard, Jesus proclaims: “I am the good shepherd… who lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn 10:11). As the Successor of Saint Peter, to whom the Lord entrusted the care of his flock (cf. Jn 21:15-17), I have long awaited this opportunity to stand before you as a witness to the Risen Savior, and to encourage you to persevere in faith, hope and love, in fidelity to the ancient traditions and the distinguished history of Christian witness which you trace back to the age of the Apostles. The Catholic community here is deeply touched by the difficulties and uncertainties which affect all the people of the Middle East. May you never forget the great dignity which derives from your Christian heritage, or fail to sense the loving solidarity of all your brothers and sisters in the Church throughout the world!

“I am the good shepherd”, the Lord tells us, “I know my own, and my own know me” (Jn 10:14). Today in Jordan we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. As we reflect on the Gospel of the Good Shepherd, let us ask the Lord to open our hearts and minds ever more fully to hear his call. Truly, Jesus “knows us”, even more deeply than we know ourselves, and he has a plan for each one of us. We know, too, that wherever he calls us, we will find happiness and fulfilment; indeed, we will find our very selves (cf. Mt 10:39). Today I invite the many young people here present to consider how the Lord is calling you to follow him and to build up his Church. Whether it be in the priestly ministry, in consecrated life or in the sacrament of marriage, Jesus needs you to make his voice heard and to work for the growth of his Kingdom.

In today’s second reading, Saint John invites us to “think of the love that the Father has lavished on us” by making us his adopted children in Christ. Hearing these words should make us grateful for the experience of the Father’s love which we have had in our families, from the love of our fathers and mothers, our grandparents, our brothers and sisters. During the celebration of the present Year of the Family, the Church throughout the Holy Land has reflected on the family as a mystery of life-giving love, endowed in God’s plan with its own proper calling and mission: to radiate the divine Love which is the source and the ultimate fulfilment of all the other loves of our lives.

May every Christian family grow in fidelity to its lofty vocation to be a true school of prayer, where children learn a sincere love of God, where they mature in self-discipline and concern for the needs of others, and where, shaped by the wisdom born of faith, they contribute to the building of an ever more just and fraternal society. The strong Christian families of these lands are a great legacy handed down from earlier generations. May today’s families be faithful to that impressive heritage, and never lack the material and moral assistance they need to carry out their irreplaceable role in service to society.

An important aspect of your reflection during this Year of the Family has been the particular dignity, vocation and mission of women in God’s plan. How much the Church in these lands owes to the patient, loving and faithful witness of countless Christian mothers, religious Sisters, teachers, doctors and nurses! How much your society owes to all those women who in different and at times courageous ways have devoted their lives to building peace and fostering love!

From the very first pages of the Bible, we see how man and woman, created in the image of God, are meant to complement one another as stewards of God’s gifts and partners in communicating his gift of life, both physical and spiritual, to our world. Sadly, this God-given dignity and role of women has not always been sufficiently understood and esteemed. The Church, and society as a whole, has come to realize how urgently we need what the late Pope John Paul II called the “prophetic charism” of women (cf. Mulieris Dignitatem, 29) as bearers of love, teachers of mercy and artisans of peace, bringing warmth and humanity to a world that all too often judges the value of a person by the cold criteria of usefulness and profit. By its public witness of respect for women, and its defence of the innate dignity of every human person, the Church in the Holy Land can make an important contribution to the advancement of a culture of true humanity and the building of the civilization of love.

Dear friends, let us return to the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel. I believe that they contain a special message for you, his faithful flock in these lands where he once dwelt. “The good shepherd”, he tells us, “lays down his life for his sheep.” At the beginning of this Mass, we asked the Father to “give us new strength from the courage of Christ our shepherd”, who remained steadfast in fidelity to the Father’s will (cf. Opening Prayer, Mass of the Fourth Sunday of Easter). May the courage of Christ our shepherd inspire and sustain you daily in your efforts to bear witness to the Christian faith and to maintain the Church’s presence in the changing social fabric of these ancient lands.

Fidelity to your Christian roots, fidelity to the Church’s mission in the Holy Land, demands of each of you a particular kind of courage: the courage of conviction, born of personal faith, not mere social convention or family tradition; the courage to engage in dialogue and to work side by side with other Christians in the service of the Gospel and solidarity with the poor, the displaced, and the victims of profound human tragedies; the courage to build new bridges to enable a fruitful encounter of people of different religions and cultures, and thus to enrich the fabric of society. It also means bearing witness to the love which inspires us to “lay down” our lives in the service of others, and thus to counter ways of thinking which justify “taking” innocent lives.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own, and my own know me” (Jn 10:14). Rejoice that the Lord has made you members of his flock and knows each of you by name! Follow him with joy and let him guide you in all your ways. Jesus knows what challenges you face, what trials you endure, and the good that you do in his name. Trust in him, in his enduring love for all the members of his flock, and persevere in your witness to the triumph of his love.

May Saint John the Baptist, the patron of Jordan, and Mary, Virgin and Mother, sustain you by their example and prayers, and lead you to the fullness of joy in the eternal pastures where we will experience for ever the presence of the Good Shepherd and know for ever the depths of his love. Amen.

Papal Interview on Shepherd One

During His flight to Jordan, Pope Benedict XVI held a news conference.

Below is the text version, as reported by ZENIT:

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE, MAY 8, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the unofficial transcript of the press conference Benedict XVI gave today aboard the papal plane en route to Amman, Jordan, on the first leg of his Holy Land trip.

* * *

Father Lombardi: Your Holiness, we thank you for granting us an encounter with you at the beginning of a trip that is so important and difficult. Among other things, you have given us as well the opportunity to wish you a good trip and to tell you that we will collaborate in disseminating the message that you wish to give. As is habitual, the questions we now ask are the result of a collection of questions posed by all the colleagues here present. I ask them for logistical reasons, but they are in reality the fruit of team work.

Your Holiness, this trip takes place at very delicate moment for the Middle East: There are strong tensions -- during the Gaza crisis it was speculated that you would not make this trip. At the same time, a few days after your trip, the political leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority will meet with [U.S.] President [Barack] Obama. Do you think that you could contribute to the peace process that now seems to be running aground?

Benedict XVI: Good morning! Before all else, I would like to thank you all for the work you have done, and I wish you all a good trip, a good pilgrimage, and a good return.

Regarding the question, certainly I intend to contribute to peace, but not as an individual, but in the name of the Catholic Church, of the Holy See. We are not a political power, but rather a spiritual force, and this spiritual force is a reality that can contribute to the progress of the peace process.

I see [a contribution to be made on] three levels: As believers, we are convinced that prayer is a true force. It opens the world to God: We are convinced that God listens and that he can act in history. I think that if millions of people -- believers -- would pray, it could really be a force that could influence and contribute to the advancement of peace.

Second point: We try to help in the formation of consciences. The conscience is the capacity of mankind to perceive the truth, but particular interests often block this capacity. And it is a big job to liberate from these interests, to open more to the truth, to the true values: It is a duty of the Church to help one to know the true criteria, the true values, and to liberate ourselves from particular interests.

And thus, the third point, let us draw reason in as well -- precisely this is it: precisely because we are not a political party, perhaps too we can more easily, with the light of faith, see the true criteria, help bring an understanding of what contributes to peace and speak to reason, to support the truly reasonable positions. And this we have already done, and we want to do so now and in the future.

Father Lombardi: Thank you, Your Holiness.

Second question: As a theologian, you have reflected in particular on the common roots that unite Christians and Jews. How is it possible that, despite the efforts of dialogue, misunderstandings often occur? How do you see the future of dialogue between the two communities?

Benedict XVI: The important thing is that in reality we have the same roots, the same Books of the Old Testament that are -- as much for the Jews as for us -- the Book of Revelation. But naturally, after 2,000 years of living a distinct history, even a separate one, the fact that misunderstandings arise shouldn't be a surprise. Traditions of interpretation, language, and thinking have been formed that are very distinct, we could say a "semantic cosmos" that is very distinct, in such a way that the same word for both traditions signifies different things. And with the use of these words that, in the course of history have taken on different meanings, obviously misunderstandings are born.

We should do everything to learn the language of the other, and it seems to me that we have made great progress. Today we have the possibility of the youth, of the future professors of theology, who can study in Jerusalem, in the Hebrew university, and the Jews have academic contact with us: In this way an encounter of the distinct "semantic cosmos" is made possible.

We learn mutually and we advance on the path of true dialogue, we learn from one another and I am sure and convinced that we are making progress. And this would also help peace, and what is more, reciprocal love.

Father Lombardi: Your Holiness, in this journey you have two essential dimensions of inter religious dialogue, with Islam and with Jews. Is there a common message that has to do with the three religions that make reference to Abraham?

Benedict XVI: Certainly there exists a common message, and there will be an occasion to present it and, despite the difference of origins, we have common roots, because, as I have said, Christianity is born of the Old Testament, and the writings of the New Testament wouldn't exist without the Old, because it refers permanently to Scripture, that is to say, to the Old Testament.
Islam was also born in an environment where Judaism and various branches of Christianity, Judeo-Christianity, Antiochian-Byzantine-Christianity were present, and all these circumstances are reflected in the tradition of the Quran. In this way we have much in common from our origins, in the faith in the one God. For that, it is important on one hand to maintain dialogue with the two parts -- with the Jews and with Islam -- and as well a trilateral dialogue.

I myself have cofounded a foundation for the dialogue between the three religions where figures such as Metropolitain Damaskinos and the chief rabbi of France, René-Samuel Sirat, etc. gathered. This foundation also published an edition of the books of the three religions: the Quran, the New Testament and the Old Testament. For this reason the trilateral dialogue should go forward, it is very important for peace, and as well for living one's own religion well.

Father Lombardi: A last question. Your Holiness, you have often mentioned the problem of the decline of the Christians in the Middle East, and also in particular in the Holy Land. It is a phenomenon with various reasons of a political, economic and social character. What can be done to help the Christians in the region? What contribution do you hope to give with your trip? Is there hope for these Christians in the future? Do you have a particular message as well for the Christians of Gaza that will come to see you in Bethlehem?

Benedict XVI: Certainly there is hope, because now is a moment, as you have said, that is difficult, but also a moment of hope, of a new start, of a new impulse in the path toward peace, and we want to encourage the Christians in the Holy Land, and in all of the Middle East, to stay, to give their contribution to the countries of their origins: They are important components of life in these regions.

Specifically the Church, beyond words of encouragement, has schools and hospitals. In this sense we have a very concrete presence. Our schools form a generation that will have the possibility to be present in public life. We are creating the Catholic University in Jordan, it seems to me this is a great place where the youth -- both Muslims and Christians -- meet, learn together, where a Christian elite is formed that is prepared specifically to work for peace.

But generally, our schools are very important opportunities to open up a future for Christians, and the hospitals show our presence. Furthermore, there are many Christian associations that help Christians in various ways, and with specific help they encourage them to stay. In this way I hope that Christians are able to find the value, the humility, the patience to stay in these countries, to offer their contribution to their nation's future.

Father Lombardi: Thank you, Your Holiness, with these answers you have helped to set the tone for our trip from a spiritual point of view, and from a cultural point of view. I repeat the wishes, also on behalf of all the colleagues here present, and on behalf of those flying now to the Holy Land to help with the media end of this trip, for the success of this difficult mission. Have a good trip and, good work as well to all our colleagues.

Papal Visit Links

Listing of relevant links in relation to the Papal visit to the Holy Land:

EWTN will be transmitting live, continuing coverage, as noted above by the photo. Click here for all events & times.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan's official site dedicated to the Holy Father's trip can be found here.

Catholic News Agency has a detailed, updated schedule which can be found here.

A Vatican related site can be found here.

Custody of the Holy Land Sites website can be accessed here.

The incredibly informative Pope Benedict in Israel site can be viewed here.

Catholic TV coverage here.

Pope Arrives in Jordan

Pope Benedict XVI is greeted at the airport by Jordan's King Abdullah II, Queen Rania & other dignitaries, see BBC video here.

Vatican Radio has the full text of the Pope's initial address & remarks at the Alia International Airport:

Your Majesties,

Your Excellencies,

Dear Brother Bishops,

Dear Friends,

It is with joy that I greet all of you here present, as I begin my first visit to the Middle East since my election to the Apostolic See, and I am pleased to set foot upon the soil of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, a land so rich in history, home to so many ancient civilizations, and deeply imbued with religious significance for Jews, Christians and Muslims. I thank His Majesty King Abdullah II for his kind words of welcome, and I offer my particular congratulations in this year that marks the tenth anniversary of his accession to the throne. In greeting His Majesty, I extend heartfelt good wishes to all members of the Royal Family and the Government, and to all the people of the Kingdom. I greet the Bishops here present, especially those with pastoral responsibilities in Jordan. I look forward to celebrating the liturgy at Saint George’s Cathedral tomorrow evening and at the International Stadium on Sunday together with you, dear Bishops, and so many of the faithful entrusted to your care.

I come to Jordan as a pilgrim, to venerate holy places that have played such an important part in some of the key events of Biblical history. At Mount Nebo, Moses led his people to within sight of the land that would become their home, and here he died and was laid to rest. At Bethany beyond the Jordan, John the Baptist preached and bore witness to Jesus, whom he baptized in the waters of the river that gives this land its name. In the coming days I shall visit both these holy places, and I shall have the joy of blessing the foundation stones of churches that are to be built at the traditional site of the Lord’s Baptism.

The opportunity that Jordan’s Catholic community enjoys to build public places of worship is a sign of this country’s respect for religion, and on their behalf I want to say how much this openness is appreciated. Religious freedom is, of course, a fundamental human right, and it is my fervent hope and prayer that respect for the inalienable rights and dignity of every man and woman will come to be increasingly affirmed and defended, not only throughout the Middle East, but in every part of the world.

My visit to Jordan gives me a welcome opportunity to speak of my deep respect for the Muslim community, and to pay tribute to the leadership shown by His Majesty the King in promoting a better understanding of the virtues proclaimed by Islam. Now that some years have passed since the publication of the Amman Message and the Amman Interfaith Message, we can say that these worthy initiatives have achieved much good in furthering an alliance of civilizations between the West and the Muslim world, confounding the predictions of those who consider violence and conflict inevitable. Indeed the Kingdom of Jordan has long been at the forefront of initiatives to promote peace in the Middle East and throughout the world, encouraging inter-religious dialogue, supporting efforts to find a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, welcoming refugees from neighboring Iraq, and seeking to curb extremism.

I cannot let this opportunity pass without calling to mind the pioneering efforts for peace in the region made by the late King Hussein. How fitting that my meeting tomorrow with Muslim religious leaders, the diplomatic corps and University rectors should take place in the mosque that bears his name. May his commitment to the resolution of the region’s conflicts continue to bear fruit in efforts to promote lasting peace and true justice for all who live in the Middle East.

Dear Friends, at the Seminar held in Rome last autumn by the Catholic-Muslim Forum, the participants examined the central role played in our respective religious traditions by the commandment of love. I hope very much that this visit, and indeed all the initiatives designed to foster good relations between Christians and Muslims, will help us to grow in love for the Almighty and Merciful God, and in fraternal love for one another. Thank you for your welcome. Thank you for your attention.

May God grant Your Majesties happiness and long life! May he bless Jordan with prosperity and peace!

Jordan Prepares for Papal Visit

Sky News:

Workers set up a banner with pictures of Jordans King Abdullah (L) and Pope Benedict XVI during preparations at the Lady of Peace Church, the first scheduled stop in the Popes visit to the region, in Amman May 7, 2009. Jordanian Islamist leaders on Thursday condemned Pope Benedicts visit to the Middle East, saying it was provocative because he has not apologised for offending comments implying Islam was violent and irrational. They said the pope, who arrives in Jordan on Friday on the first leg of a tour including Israel and the Palestinian territories, still owed them an apology for hinting Islam was violent and irrational in a 2006 speech in Regensburg. REUTERS

See entire picture gallery here.

On a personal note, I will do my level best to bring my readers full coverage of the Pope Benedict's trip to Jordan and Israel, as well as linking to the best sites available.

Pilgrim of Peace

Source: Apostleship of Prayer



Source: Vatican You Tube

UPDATES: Papal Visit to the Holy Land

Source: Vatican You Tube

Catholic News Agency reports:

Vatican City, May 4, 2009 / 10:27 am (CNA).- Members of the Papal Foundation met with Pope Benedict on Saturday and heard him speak about his trip to the Holy Land later this week. He told the foundation that he will go as "a pilgrim of peace" to a land that has been marred by violence and injustice for 60 years.

Pope Benedict began the audience by greeting Cardinal William Keeler, the other cardinals and bishops present and the lay members of the foundation with St. Paul’s words-- "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Taking stock of the current state of the world, the Holy Father noted how "today's world is truly in need of His peace, especially as it faces the tragedies of war, division, poverty and despair."

As he prepares to embark on his journey to the Holy Land on May 8, Benedict XVI told the group, "I go as a pilgrim of peace."

"As you are well aware," he said, "for more than sixty years, this region - the land of our Lord's birth, death and Resurrection; a sacred place for the world's three great monotheistic religions - has been plagued by violence and injustice. This has led to a general atmosphere of mistrust, uncertainty and fear - often pitting neighbor against neighbor, brother against brother. "

"As I prepare for this significant journey," he added, "I ask in a special way that you join me in prayer for all the peoples of the Holy Land and the region. May they receive the gifts of reconciliation, hope and peace."

Every year since its founding in 1990, members of the Papal Foundation have traveled to Rome to give the Pope a donation for his charitable activities. This year, Pope Benedict noted that their meeting is taking place "during a time when the entire world is struggling with a very worrying economic situation."

"At moments such as these it is tempting to overlook those without a voice and think only of our own difficulties. As Christians we are aware, however, that especially when times are difficult we must work even harder to ensure that the consoling message of our Lord is heard," the Holy Father said.

"Rather than turning in on ourselves, we must continue to be beacons of hope, strength and support for others, most especially those who have no one to watch over or assist them," he exhorted.

The Pope thanked the foundation’s members for their "sacrifice and dedication" and expressed his gratitude. Their generosity, he said, enables "the Easter message of joy, hope, reconciliation and peace is more widely proclaimed."

NCRegister.com has the full Papal itinerary in Israel listed:

Monday, May 11

11:00 Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, Official Welcoming Ceremony

12:05 Arrival at Mount Scopus helipad, Jerusalem. Welcoming Ceremony by Jerusalem Mayor, Nir Barkat.
16:05 Visit to the President’s Residence

17:30 Visit to Yad Vashem, Memorial ceremony at the Remembrance Hall; Wreath laying; Address by the Pope.

19:00 Interfaith Meeting, Notre Dame Hotel


Tuesday, May 12

09:15 Meeting with the Mufti, Temple Mount

10:00 Visit to the Western Wall

10:35 Meeting with the Chief Rabbis, Heichal Shlomo

12:00 Visit to the Church of Dormition — site of the Last Supper

12:30 Visit and Prayer at Latin Patriarch

16:15 Mass at the Garden of Gethsemane

Wednesday, May 13

08:00-19:00 Visit to Bethlehem


Thursday, May 14

09:15 Arrival in Nazareth, Welcoming Ceremony and the Ceremony of Bread and Salt
Reception by Mayor of Nazareth.

10:00 Mass at Mount of the Precipice

15:50 Meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Church of the Annunciation

16:30 Meeting with the Faith Heads in Israel, Church of the Annunciation

17:30 Prayer at the Church of the Annunciation

19:00 Return to Jerusalem

Friday, May 15

09:15 Meeting at the Greek-Orthodox Patriarch

10:00 Visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

13:30 Leaving Ceremony, Ben Gurion Airport.

Lastly, Catholic Friends of Israel informs us of a new website here, initiated by the Israeli Foreign Ministry apropos the Holy Father's visit.

Official Websites for Papal Journey

Updates on the Papal Journey to Israel & Jordan:

Access the official Jordanian site regarding the Holy Father's trip here.

Access Custody of the Holy Sites website here.

Access the Israeli Holy Land Pilgrimage page here.

Catholic Friends of Israel has the Pope's itinerary here.

A brand new Pope Benedict in Israel blog here.

Read an interview with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal here.

Finally an excellent analysis of the Vatican and its relations with Gaza Christians can be found here.