Vatican City, Jul 6, 2005 / 22:00 pm
On Wednesday, Pope Benedict XVI was presented with commemorative stamps from Israeli and German leaders as well as an invitation on behalf of Israel’s Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to visit the Holy Land.
Israeli Communications Minister Dalia Itzik, and Government Secretary Israel Maimon gave the Pope a stamp which depicted John Paul II’s visit to the Western Wall of the Temple in Jerusalem in which he left a letter of apology for atrocities committed by Christians against Jews.
Likewise, he extended the invitation to the Holy Land, to which Benedict was quoted as responding, "I have already a long list of commitments to visit foreign countries, but Israel has a priority."
Germany’s Finance Minister Hans Eichel also presented the Pope with a stamp celebrating next month’s World Youth Day in Cologne, which the Holy Father will attend from August 18th through the 21st.