Holy Land leaders welcome Pope’s visit

January 6, 2014 - The announcement of Pope Francis’s visit to the Holy Land in May has been greeted enthusiastically by Church and political leaders in the Holy Land. “We are hoping for a new glimmer of light from this visit in relations with the Orthodox, with Muslims and Jews,'' Bishop William Shomali, the Auxiliary of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem told Vatican Radio soon after the Pope’s announcement on Sunday. “We pray, because we have to expect also that the Holy Spirit will inspire Pope Francis in this visit and make it a success,” the bishop said adding, “We count not only on human endeavours but on the blessing of the Lord.” The Palestinian news agency Wafa said President Mahmoud Abbas hoped it would ``contribute to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people who aspire for freedom, justice and independence.'' In Jerusalem, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman, Yigal Palmor said Pope Francis will be greeted as warmly as his predecessors . Jordan's Royal Palace said the Amman leg of the papal visit on May 24 would mark a ``significant milestone for brotherhood and forgiveness between Muslims and Christians and consolidates the message of peace.'' Earlier pontiffs who visited the Holy land have been Paul VI in 1964, John Paul II in 2000 and Benedict XVI in 2009. (Source: AP)