Benedict XVI's Visit To Israel Is Turning Into A Diplomatic Nightmare
At the age of 82, Pope Benedict XVI is about to be forced through a diplomatic minefield that would scare the wits out of a politician half his age. He will be in Israel and the Palestinian territories from May 11 to May 15, on a visit that the Israeli ministry is billing as a "bridge to peace".
Who will be advising the Pope in Israel?
Well, it could be. But both Jewish and Muslim ideologues are determined to stop the Pope crossing that bridge: either by smearing him as an anti-Semite or by making his visit to a Palestinian refugee camp look like a politically motivated reproach to Israel.
ISRAEL LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE DEDICATED TO POPE BENEDICT XVI’S PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND
The Israel Ministry of Tourism has announced a new website dedicated to Pope Benedict XVI’s first Papal visit to the Holy Land due to be launched on April 15th this year.
The user-friendly mini-site will be available in seven languages and feature background information, photographs and video footage related to Christian holy sites in Israel as well as detailed information on the Pope’s itinerary and trip highlights.
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Clcik here for Israel/Catholic Pilgrimage website
VATICAN-ISRAEL Apr-28-2009 (330 words) xxxi
Vatican-Israeli Commission Reports Progress On Economic Agreement: Negotiations Include But Not Limited To, Holy Sites Properties, Access To Israeli Governance Over Church Institutions
By John Thavis
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican and Israel have reported significant progress in negotiations on an economic agreement on church fiscal and property issues.
At the same time, sources ruled out the possibility that an agreement could be reached before Pope Benedict XVI makes his Holy Land pilgrimage in mid-May.
The Vatican and Israeli members of a bilateral working commission met April 23 in Jerusalem and reported in a joint communique that "meaningful progress was achieved after receiving a report from a working group."
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