ROME (JTA) — Pope Benedict XVI will meet with political leaders and visit sites sacred to Muslims, Jews and Christians during his May trip to Israel.
The Vatican on Thursday announced the Pope’s program for his trip to Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. The pontiff flies from Rome to Amman, Jordan on May 8 and returns from Tel Aviv on May 15.
Benedict will meet with local Jewish and Muslim religious leaders as well as local Christian leaders of various denominations. He will visit the Aida Palestinian refugee camp, near Bethlehem, and the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, where he will hold a meeting with organizations supporting interreligious dialogue.
The pope will celebrate public mass in Amman, Bethlehem, the Valley of Josaphat and Nazareth.
