Pope begins Mideast tip Pope Benedict XVI began a historic trip to the Middle East onFriday, flying to Jordan for a weeklong journey that will include Israel and the West Bank. By Ruth Ellen Gruber May 8, 2009 5:40 pm
Pope offers hope before Mideast trip Pope Benedict XVI said he wanted to share the “aspirations and hopes” as well as the “pains and struggles” of people in the Middle East. May 6, 2009 6:58 pm
Rabbis, Jewish leaders sign pope welcome letter Some 200 rabbis and Jewish leaders from Israel, the United States and around the world signed a letter of welcome to the pope on his visit to Israel. May 6, 2009 6:20 pm
Ideas Op-Ed: Papal trip to Israel is not time to focus on problems By Ron Kronish April 30, 2009 11:39 pm
Pope’s visit to Israel fraught with potential minefields By Ruth Ellen Gruber April 30, 2009 10:39 pm