JERUSALEM (CWNews.com) - Leaders of Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jews said today they are asking Pope John Paul II to drop plans for a Mass on a Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, during his visit to the Holy Land next month.

    Meir Porush, leader of the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) political party, said Jews expect the Pontiff to respect Jewish traditions during his March 21-26 visit, including allowing Jews to properly observe the Sabbath. "He doesn't need to observe the Sabbath, but when he conducts a Saturday mass he makes soldiers, police and security forces work," he said. "They'll bear arms and they'll use phones and they'll need to travel -- all a desecration of the Sabbath. I expect consideration from the Pope regarding religious Jews."

    The Holy Father has an outdoor Mass planned for Saturday, March 25, in Nazareth.

    Israeli government spokesmen said the Pontiff's schedule was planned by both Israeli and Vatican officials. "The entire visit from beginning to end was coordinated with the government of Israel ... and since Israel is responsible for the Pope's safety, all necessary security considerations have been taken into account, including on Saturday," said spokesman Moshe Fogel.