Pope, marking anniversary of papal trip to Holy Land, prays for peace

Published: 2004-01-06

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Marking the 40th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's historic visit to the Holy Land, Pope John Paul II pleaded for cooperation among international leaders to work for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. In 1964 Pope Paul began the modern practice of papal flights for pastoral visits outside Italy. The first of a number of trips he made between 1964 and 1970 was a Jan. 4-6 visit to Christian holy sites in territories then under the control of Jordan and Israel. Greeting visitors in St. Peter's Square Jan. 6, Pope John Paul said faith that Christ truly is the light of the whole world led his predecessor to travel and to begin his trips in the land of Jesus' birth, death and resurrection. Pope John Paul said that visiting Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity Jan. 6, 1964, Pope Paul spoke of the Catholic Church's love and concern for the world. "He added that the mission of Christianity in the midst of humanity is a mission of friendship, understanding, encouragement, promotion and elevation: that is, a mission of salvation," Pope John Paul said.

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