With Israel being the Holy Land, you would expect the Pope and all his pontiffs to be regular visitors to this neck of the woods. (This neck of the woods being Israel where I now live.)
While there are not many churches in Tel Aviv, there are very established Christian and Catholic places of worship in Jaffa, and Jerusalem. And because Israel is the birthplace of Jesus, thousands of Christian and Catholic pilgrims come to Israel annually. Many come from Canada too, to see the sites, and to walk in the footsteps of their saviour.
Believe it or not, this year –– May 8 to 15 –– will mark the first visit to Israel by Pope Benedict XVI. He’ll be heading to Israel, and also the Palestinian territories and Jordan nearby, over the course of his visit. Besides the usual (Churches and holy ceremonies), the Pope it is reported, will also visit Israel’s new Holocaust museum, Yad Vashem.
“This important visit will be warmly welcomed by Israel and the Jewish people,” said the president of the World Jewish Congress Ronald S. Lauder.
Israel’s President Shimon Peres hailed the visit and says that the Pope comes on a mission of peace: “I am delighted that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has responded positively and accepted my invitation to visit the Holy Land. The Pope will be a most honored guest, welcomed and respected by people from all walks of life. His visit will be a moving and important event bringing the spirit of peace and hope. Welcome to Israel,” said Peres in a public speech made in Israel.
To keep the Pope safe, Peres has instructed that government ministries along with the Israel Defense Force, police and Shin Bet (Israel’s security agency) to take care of the Pope’s security issues, which are expected to cost the state NIS 43 million (about $15 million Canadian dollars).
Knowing how Christian pilgrims like to follow the Pope around the world, the visit will probably be a boon to local tourism in Israel.
According to the Jerusalem Post, the Israel Police Operations Branch spokeswoman Orit Friedman said recently that police planners had already begun their preparations: “This is a very important visit for Israel, one that is tied to the state’s image, its diplomatic front and tourism [industry].”
Me, 1984, and the Pope in Canada
When Pope John Paul II came to Toronto in 1984, all I was thinking about was the Popemobile and how I could get a ride in it. I was a kid –– 11 to be exact –– and very curious about the car-truck contraption built just for him.
When my mom got back from the day’s event (she went to volunteer in the parking lots to manage the massive influx of traffic), you can be sure I asked her about that Popemobile: Was it really made of bullet-proof glass? Why would someone want to shoot the Pope? Did he wave at you?
She didn’t really know all the answers to my questions, or maybe she thought I was too young to understand religion and politics. A few years wiser, the big question I will be asking this year in Israel, as the new Pope lands: Will Israel provide its very own Popemobile? I am looking forward to seeing it, if yes.
[Photo credit: Victor Caivano / AP (left); Dan Stone]
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