Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem on papal visit to Holy Land

(Vatican Radio) The official programme for Pope Francis’ upcoming pilgrimage to the Holy Land was released this week at a news conference at the offices of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. During his 3-day visit that runs from May 24^th to 27^th, the Pope will visit Jordan, Palestine and Israel.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal told Vatican Radio that one of the highlights of the Pope Francis’ pilgrimage would be an ecumenical encounter marking the 50^th anniversary of the meeting in Jerusalem between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras.

Listen to the interview with Patriarch Fouad Twal:

Patriarch Twal says that he hopes this important ecumenical encounter during Pope Francis’ visit will strengthen and “empower” their move for more ecumenism and more unity among the various Christian denominations in the Holy Land. At the same time, the Latin Patriarch says they are looking forward to hearing “the voice of the Holy Father” speaking about “more justice, more peace, more collaboration in the Holy Land, hoping that all the initiatives in favour of peace will be respected.”

Describing the Pope as “a man of prayer, of dialogue and of peace,” Patriarch Twal said they were all busily preparing for the papal visit in late May including preparing and working hard “on the liturgical protocol” and they hope it will be “a successful visit.” He concluded by urging pilgrims to come and visit them in Jerusalem, “to pray for them and to pray with them for peace.”