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Date: 2006-06-27

Israeli President Invites Pope to Holy Land

Receives New Apostolic Nuncio

JERUSALEM, JUNE 27, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Israel's president received the
new apostolic nuncio to Israel and Cyprus today, taking the opportunity
to again extend an invitation to Benedict XVI to visit the Holy Land.

Archbishop Antonio Franco, who will also serve as the apostolic delegate
in Jerusalem and Palestine, presented his letters of credence today to
Moshe Katzav.

The prelate replaces Archbishop Pietro Sambi, who has been appointed as
apostolic nuncio to the United States.

In comments to Vatican Radio, Archbishop Franco said that during their
conversation, "the president recalled the meeting he had with the Holy
Father in the Vatican last November, and the invitation he gave him to
come to Jerusalem, hoping that this can happen."

Katzav "spoke afterwards of relations between the Holy See and Israel,
which are at a good level," said the nuncio. "He said that efforts and
commitments of collaboration are underway."

According to Archbishop Franco, the Israeli president said that "he
hoped that there would be greater knowledge and appreciation of the
Second Vatican Council's declaration 'Nostra Aetate,'" which marked a
decisive change in relations between Catholic and Jews.

Archbishop Franco said that the Israeli president also mentioned the
difficulties that have "arisen with the election of the Hamas government."

"We have an emergency situation," the president said.

Last Sunday, an Israeli soldier was taken prisoner. During the meeting
with the new nuncio, Katzav asked if there "is a possibility to make an
appeal for the release of this military man."

Archbishop Franco replied that "we are following the situation and we
will mobilize for humanitarian reasons."

Fragile hope

The archbishop said that hopes for a dialogue of peace between Israelis
and Palestinians "are very fragile, very, very poor."

"I really hope this soldier can be freed, as otherwise sparks of
repression might explode, and no one can foresee what might happen,"
said the nuncio.

Archbishop Franco said that the Holy See launched an appeal to the
international community to help the Palestinian population, which is
going through serious difficulties. "We hope an answer will be given!"

In regard to Christian communities in the Holy Land, the nuncio
acknowledged that they "suffer": "They are certainly paying the bitter
consequences of the situation, but they are a factor of moderation, as
the position of Catholics is always to favor the quest for peace through
dialogue and mediation."

The papal delegate also confirmed the exodus of Christians from the Holy
Land, explaining that it is a phenomenon caused by "many reasons" which
"has lasted for a long time."

For relations between Israel and the Holy See to be described as
"completely satisfactory," "new conventions are being elaborated" which
seek to apply the Fundamental Agreement that allowed the establishment
of diplomatic relations, said Archbishop Franco.

The nuncio added: "The president hoped that the elaborations might be
accelerated to also improve some aspects which have repercussions on the
local Church, on Christians living here. We are awaiting the next meetings."

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