Papal nuncio urges Christian pilgrims to visit Holy Land

Published: 2004-04-05

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- The papal nuncio to Israel and the Palestinian territories is urging Christian pilgrims to visit the Holy Land as "disciples of Christ, witnesses of peace and agents of human solidarity." "Come to the Holy Land, the Christians here are waiting for you; the Israelis and Palestinians are waiting for you," said Archbishop Pietro Sambi during an April 1 reception hosted by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. The archbishop said a pilgrimage to the Holy Land would be "a gift for the Palestinian and Israeli people" and a "great gift" for those making the pilgrimage. "There is such spiritual elevation for (pilgrims) ... only at the end of the pilgrimage can they realize how enlightening it was," Archbishop Sambi said. The archbishop said that during the Easter and Passover seasons, Christians and Jews should "join energies" to bring about peace in the Holy Land.

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