ROME, 4 (NE) In the framework of the closing activities of the Holy Year in Holy Land, Archbishop Pietro Sambi highlighted the Holy Father's desire to be close to faithful in this region. In declarations to Fides news agency, the Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine said that "the Pope wanted Christians in Holy Land to feel his closeness, and Christians have felt it strongly."

    "The Pope wanted to repeat his strong encouragement for dialogue to reach peace among the people of the region", added the Archbishop, who also expressed his concern for the situation of violence that affects the region in these days. "The danger at this moment is that the Christians, Jews and Muslims lose hope", he said in his declarations. "This hope is recovered by praying for peace and working for peace, a fair and durable peace."

    The closing of Holy Year in Holy Land took place during an Eucharistic celebration carried out at Saint Catherine's Church, in Bethlehem, next to the Nativity Basilica.

For other news stories, see

January 5, 2001
volume 12, no. 5
News from the Vatican

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