His Holiness Pope Francis to Jerusalem

His Holiness Pope Francis to Jerusalem

In advance of Holy Week (13-20 April) and the upcoming visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Jerusalem (25-26 May), the Tourism Ministry is pleased to invite members of the foreign media to visit the Pontifical Institute Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center
(<www.notredamecenter.org/>). Briefing and interview opportunities with Father Juan Maria Solana, L.C, Chargé of the Holy See and Father Eamon Kelly, L.C., Vice Chargé.

Owned by the Vatican and managed by the Legionaries of Christ, the Notre Dame Center (3 Paratrooper’s Road, opposite the New Gate) meets the spiritual and physical needs of pilgrims coming to the Holy Land. Pope Francis will visit the Notre Dame Center during his upcoming visit to the Holy Land, as did His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI during his visit in May 2009. The Vatican delegation and press corps will be based at the Notre Dame during the Papal visit.

Father Solana will give a briefing about the work of the Notre Dame Center in welcoming pilgrims during Holy Week in particular, as well as his personal insight into pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In addition, Father Solana will speak about the preparations and anticipation at the Notre Dame Center in advance of the Papal visit.

Please note that interviews can be offered in English, Spanish, Italian and German

This will be followed by a sunset rooftop briefing from Father Kelly, who will offer a „virtual” tour and explanation of the Easter story from the panoramic vantage point of the Notre Dame rooftop,  with clear views across the Old City and down to the Judean desert.

The visit will conclude with a tour of the Shroud of Turin exhibition, which helps pilgrims gain a deeper understanding of Christ’s suffering and resurrection as they visit the holy places related to the Easter story.