(May 4, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday asked for prayers so that his upcoming
trip to the Holy Land will give encouragement to Christians there and also promote
dialogue, reconciliation and peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The Pope invited
the faithful to pray for the trip before reciting the weekly midday “Regina Caeli”
prayer with those gathered in St. Peter's Square. He is set to leave this Friday
for Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories and will return on May 15. He
hopes "to confirm and encourage the Christians of the Holy Land, who must daily confront
many difficulties. As a successor of the Apostle Peter, I will show the closeness
and support of the whole body of the Church," the Holy Father said. "Moreover, I
will be a pilgrim of peace, in the name of the one God, Father of all," he said adding
he will give witness to the Catholic Church's commitment to those who favour dialogue
and reconciliation in order to arrive at a stable and lasting peace in justice and
mutual respect. Pope Benedict also stressed that his trip will have a notable ecumenical
and interreligious significance. “Jerusalem,” he said, “is, from this point of view,
the symbolic city par excellence: There Christ died so as to reunite all of the dispersed
children of God." After praying the “Regina Coeli” Pope Benedict said he was
praying for victims of swine flu. Speaking in Spanish, he urged Mexicans and others
to keep praying themselves, especially as a family, so that God can help them overcome
their difficulties. Mexico has been the epicenter of the viral epidemic, with 19
deaths. Pope Benedict also greeted pilgrims in English. Listen: To all the
English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present for today’s Regina Caeli, I extend
a warm welcome. I pray that as you follow the voice of the Good Shepherd, you will
grow ever closer to the Risen Lord and share his Gospel with all those you encounter.
This Friday I leave for my pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where men and women first
heard the voice of the Good Shepherd. I ask you all to join me in praying for the
afflicted peoples of that region. In a special way I ask that you remember the Palestinian
people who have endured great hardship and suffering. May the Lord bless them and
all those who live in the Holy Land with the gifts of unity and peace. Upon all of
you visiting Rome during this Easter Season, I invoke the abundant blessings of Almighty
God.