Pope Prays Tensions and Restrictions Soon End
Terrasanta.net | June 18, 2009
Jerusalem, May 12th 2009 - Benedict XVI visits the Latin co-cathedral. At his side Archbishop Fouad Twal (far left). (photo: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem)
(e.p) - Pope Benedict XVI has prayed that political tensions and restrictions of movement for Christians of the Holy Land "soon become a thing of the past" in a letter of thanks to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
In the letter, sent May 26th to Archbishop Fouad Twal and released by the patriarchate a couple of days ago, the Holy Father thanked the bishops of the Holy Land "for the gracious hospitality extended to me during my recent stay with you."
The Pope said he was "confident that the tradition of pilgrimage will continue long into the future," and he prayed "especially that political tensions and travel restrictions will soon become a thing of the past, so that all the Christians, from home and abroad, will be able to access the holy sites freely and without impediment."
"I ask you to greet your flocks on my behalf and to assure them of my spiritual closeness in all the trials and tribulations that they have to undergo in consequence of the unrest afflicting many parts of the Holy Land," the Pope wrote. "Once again I urge all of you to persevere in your faithful and united witness to the Gospel in the lands where Jesus lived, taught, died, and rose from the dead, in order to bring salvation to the whole world."
The Pope said it was a "great joy to celebrate the sacred liturgy with you, together with so many of the faithful, in holy places associated with the central mysteries of salvation."
"With these thoughts," the Pope wrote in closing, "I assure you and all the Ordinaries of the Holy Land, together with the faithful entrusted to your pastoral care, of my continued prayers, and I gladly impart to you my Apostolic Blessing."