Pope Travels to Mideast as a 'Pilgrim of Peace'

A day after the official announcement Mgr Antonio Franco explains the motives and significance of Benedict XVI's trip to the Holy Land.

JERUSALEM (Asia News) - The day after the Vatican officially announced Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the Holy Land, Mgr Antonio Franco, apostolic nuncio to Israel, said that for the Holy Father the trip is "a pilgrimage", not a political move, hopefully with a favourable impact on "the peace process, understanding, and solidarity to the profit of this land."

The visit, which is scheduled to take place from 8 to 15 May, will take the Holy Father to Amman, Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth. It comes in the wake of controversies over the Holocaust and the Pope's decision to revoke the excommunication of Lefebvrite Bishop Williamson. It follows Israel's offensive in Gaza and Israeli leaders' attempt to form a new government. It will also take place at a time when the Palestinian National Authority tries to renew contacts with Hamas.

For the nuncio, the Pontiff's trip will serve as "an encouragement to overcome difficulties and find solutions to problems."

"We are working on every front with a lot of honesty, trying to find solutions," Monsignor Franco said, as he highlighted the difficulties faced by talks between the Holy See and Israel, which began 1999.

Some Catholic leaders had called on the Pope to postpone his pilgrimage until negotiations were concluded.

Here is the interview he gave to AsiaNews.

Your Excellency, how significant is this trip?

It has special significance in a region with many problems. In making the announcement the Holy Father has already stated the content of his message, which is a prayer for peace and unity among the peoples, countries and Churches of the region, as well as within the Catholic Church. Lest we forget, the Holy Land is home not only to Orthodox and Protestants but also to six Catholic Churches. The ties of communion that bind Catholics must be strengthened.

The papal trip comes amid controversies over the Holocaust, over violence between Israelis and Palestinians, among Palestinians and Israelis . . .

This land has its fill of problems. No one can imagine that a solution can be found in the short run. Realistically we must live with these problems for some time yet. Having said this, the Pope's visit is significant in and of itself because of these tensions and difficulties. The Pope wants to express his solidarity towards the various groups and offer a message of encouragement to overcome difficulties and find solutions to problems. A lot of efforts and good will are needed all around.

Witness the Words of Jesus Come to Life

This trip is seen as "pilgrimage" with a very strong religious message. Many around the world expect it to be a political move. Does the pilgrimage have social as well as political, consequences?

The pilgrimage will take place in a land full of hot issues; it is not abstract thing. The Pope will meet real people and communities. All of us must work to ensure that the importance of this trip is understood; we must make sure that it is well received and that it can have an effect on hearts and minds. The pilgrimage can favour "the peace process, understanding, and solidarity to the profit of this land."

In the last few weeks some Christians have objected to the papal visit to the Holy Land, arguing that the Pope should not come unless the Fundamental Agreement between the State of Israel and the Holy See is reached.

[The Bilateral Commission and] all of us are working on every front with a lot of honesty, trying to find solutions. Although no one knows when a solution will be found, we already know its orientation. Notwithstanding the difficult situation I am hopeful that the work already underway can continue