Pope Benedict XVI who is expected to be accompanied by an estimated More than 15,000 Christian pilgrims, is to visit Israel and Jordan May 8-15.  The pilgrimage will mark the second time a pope has visited Israel. The first was in 2000 when Pope John Paul II made his landmark visit.

The pope arrives in Jordan this Friday at the start of a Holy Land pilgrimage promoting peace and interfaith relations in a visit which the Vatican hopes will help improve its strained ties with both Israel and the Muslim world. Continue reading →