Like our venerable predecessors Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras who met here in Jerusalem fifty years ago, we too, Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, were determined to meet in the Holy Land “where our common Redeemer, Christ our Lord, lived, taught, died, rose again, and ascended into Heaven, whence he sent the Holy ...read more

May 25, 2014 Your Holiness, in the heart of the turbulent and violent Middle East, where Christians are often persecuted, Israel is an island of tolerance. We guarantee freedom of worship for all and we are committed to maintaining the status quo at the Holy sites of Christians, Muslims and Jews. Your Holiness, Pope Francis, ...read more

State Welcome Reception for Pope Francis May 25, 2014 On behalf of the Jewish people and in the name of all the people of Israel, I welcome you with the age old words from the Book of Psalms: “Welcome in the name of the Lord.” Welcome at the gates of Jerusalem. Your Holiness, You have ...read more

Pope Francis arrived by helicopter, from Bethlehem in the West Bank to the Israeli international airport near Tel Aviv. Upon his arrival at the airport around 4:30 this afternoon, he was greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres and other Israeli government authorities.  Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank ...read more

Pope Francis met, on Sunday, with children from various refugee camps who use the services of the Phoenix Centre. The children shared with Pope Francis their hopes for the future and how they experience their living conditions. ...read more

Pope Francis celebrated Mass at Manger Square in Bethlehem. Above is the full video of the Mass and the Regina Caeli after the mass, during which the pope invited Palestinian and Israeli authorities to meet at the Vatican. ...read more

In this, the birthplace of the Prince of Peace, I wish to invite you, President Mahmoud Abbas, together with President Shimon Peres, to join me in heartfelt prayer to God for the gift of peace. I offer my home in the Vatican as a place for this encounter of prayer. All of us want peace. ...read more

Bethlehem, 25 May 2014 “This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Lk 2:12). What a great grace it is to celebrate the Eucharist in the place where Jesus was born! I thank God and I thank all of you who have ...read more

Mr President,  Dear Friends,  I thank President Mahmoud Abbas for his kind welcome and I offer cordial greetings to the representatives of the government and the entire Palestinian people.  I thank the Lord for the opportunity to be here with you today in the birthplace of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.  I thank all of ...read more

Bethany beyond the Jordan, 24 May 2014(Pope Francis added personal off-script remarks. Complete text will be updated shortly) Distinguished Authorities, Your Excellencies,Dear Brothers and Sisters, As part of my pilgrimage I have greatly desired to meet with you who have had to leave your homes and your country as a result of violence and conflict. ...read more