May 7, 2009 / 20:24 pm
A charity official says that Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the Holy Land is an "important sign" in the "nebulous" political situation of the Holy Land. Explaining the "immense" problems facing the Christian community there, she also reported on the continuing preparations for the papal visit.
Marie-Ange Siebrecht, a regional specialist for the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), recently returned from a trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories. She spoke about her impressions of the Holy Land in an ACN interview.
Siebrecht said individual churches are "very much occupied" with their preparations while Christians are "delighted" that Pope Benedict is coming.
"There are many posters, for example, announcing the papal visit," she said, reporting that Nazareth is building an amphitheatre-like structure where the Pope will celebrate Mass.