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Pope Benedict XVI will come to Israel for his official visit in May 2009 since being elected pope. This was reported by the Italian newspaper Il Foglio, citing sources in the Vatican. The report said the pope would come to Jerusalem on May 11, 2009 and will stay in Israel for four days. He will hold Masses in Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem.
The papal visit will coincide with the Jewish celebration of Lag B’omer, which this year occurs on May 12, 2009. Lag B’omer is a time when thousands of Jews make a pilgrimage to the grave of the Rabbinic sage Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron, located in the Galilee, on the day that marks his death.
From a logisitical point of view, the planned timing of the papal visit will provide a logistical headache to Israel’s law enforcement authorities.
David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com
