VATICAN, Mar. 14, 01 (CWNews.com) - Cardinal Camillo Ruini is visiting Jerusalem this week, bringing a "candle of peace" (actually an oil lamp) to the Franciscan custodians of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Cardinal Ruini, the Pope's vicar for Rome, is making the trip to the Holy Land as a papal representative. His presence, and the candle he is bringing, are intended to emphasize the Pope's pleas for peace in Jerusalem.
The "candle of peace" is fixed within a green marble sculpture depicting a 14-pointed gold star, which represents the star that shone over the stable in Bethlehem at the Nativity. At the base of the sculpture there are two golden lilies, representing the Annunciation, and a bronze figure of Christ, in reference to the Lord's death in Jerusalem.
Cardinal Ruini began his visit to Jerusalem on March 14, celebrating Mass and delivering his message of peace. On March 15 he will again celebrate Mass at the Nativity Basilica in Bethlehem, before leaving for his return flight to Rome in the afternoon. The cardinal explained that his trip is intended in part to mark the anniversary of the Jubilee pilgrimage by Pope John Paul II to the Holy Land, as well as the underline the Pope's concern for peace in the region.
Catholic World News Service - Vatican Update
14. mars 2001