JERUSALEM (CWNews.com) - The Latin-rite patriarch of Jerusalem said today the papal visit to the Holy Land will have a mainly spiritual character rather than a political one, despite efforts to use it for political purposes.
Patriarch Michel Sabbah said Pope John Paul II will have a spiritual message when he visits the region next week and those seeking political statements will be disappointed. "What the Pope will say when he visits the Holocaust Museum or Dheisheh Refugee Camp will be decided by the Pope himself," he said.
The patriarch also announced that the Holy Father will visit the site of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River from the Palestinian side before going to Bethlehem. The area is still under Israeli control and, thus will not be accompanied by Palestinian officials, in an ironically political decision.
The order to close Palestinian shops in Jerusalem's Old City during the papal visit raised concerns among some Palestinians, but Patriarch Sabbah said, while he is not happy with the decision, he recognized the necessity for the security of the Holy Father.
Catholic World News Service - Daily News Briefs