May 5, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The Tel Aviv daily Maariv has published a report which, if confirmed, would signify a major milestone in the history of Christianity. Within a few months the state of Israel may grant custody of the Upper Room, where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his apostles, to the Catholic Church.
The EFE News Agency published a version of the story, quoting sources within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and claiming the eventual agreement between Israeli authorities and the Holy See would be part of “extensive negotiations to resolve other problems, including residencies for Church personnel, who in many cases recently have run into obstacles from the Interior Ministry in the obtaining of visas.”
Maariv quoted an anonymous government official who said “this time it seems that the intention of the government is set out on a new path with the Holy See.”
Maariv cites “Christian sources” which claim the Israeli ambassador to the Vatican, Obed Ben Hur, and representatives of the Holy See, could reach an agreement before the end of the year.