Pope to drive past separation wall and visit refugee camp while in Bethlehem

Date: 21 / 04 / 2009 Time: 22:03
Bethlehem - Ma'an -

In addition to his visit to the holy sites of Palestine, Pope Benedict XVI will visit sites in Palestinian East Jerusalem, and drive to Bethlehem along the route of the separation wall. He will also visit families in the nearby A`ydah Refugee Camp.

Minister of Local Governance and the Head of the Special Preparatory Committee to the Papal Visit in the Holy Land Ziad Al-Bandak unveiled the draft itinerary as Bethlehem cleans up ahead of the May visit.

He said Palestinian officials hope the visit will strengthen ties between the Vatican and the Christian community in Palestine, and did not ignore the potential political ramifications of such a high-profile visit.

Al-Bandak said an agenda of the establishment of an independent Palestinian state would be pursued with the Pope throughout his visit, noting emphasis on the right of Palestinians to live in dignity.

Despite the growing popularity of a petition with 3,000 names calling on the Pope to extend his visit to the Gaza Strip, there has been no indication that he will travel to the coastal area.

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