With more than 700 newsmen representing various media–newspapers and wire services, films, television, radio and still photography–listed to cover the visit of Pope Paul VI in Israel, on January 5, Israel has already spent $300,000 in preparation for the world-wide news coverage. Special telephones, telegraph stations and broadcasting booths have been placed at strategic points along the Pontiff’s itinerary, from his entry into Israel at Megiddo, near the Jordanian town of Jenin, to his departure from this city via the Mandelbaum Gate.
An Italian naval transport today unloaded tons of special television equipment at Haifa for the TV coverage. RAI, the Italian Television Network, has been given exclusive TV broadcast rights by the Vatican for the event. RAI will relay its TV broadcasts to all European stations and, via Telstar, to the United States.
The actual entry of the Pope into Israeli territory will take place at the Ta’anach crossing. There, a collective list of the Pontiff’s entourage will be endorsed by an Israeli entry stamp. From the crossing, the Pontiff and his entourage of Cardinals will be driven in automobiles chauffeured by priests to Megiddo.
Buglers will hail the Pope’s entry at Megiddo, and a platoon of Israeli cadets will present a salute. There, the Pontiff will be greeted by President Zalman Shazar, Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, Deputy Premier Abba S. Eban and Foreign Minister Golda Meir. President Shazar will greet the Pope in Hebrew, and will present the Pontiff with a special medallion, inscribed “Terra Sancta” (Holy Land.)
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