Issa Kassissieh, the ambassador of Palestine to the Holy See wrote a letter to the pope recently.
“From the Holy Land of Palestine, I am pleased to deliver sentiments of love and admiration from the Palestinian people towards a loving and caring Father, a leader for peace and justice and a prince of the poor.”
This flattering language was followed by an explanation of the preparations being made for the papal visit later this year.
“It is with great honor that President Mahmoud Abbas, on behalf of Palestine, has extended all efforts to ensure that your holy visit will be a historic one.”
The Ambassador tried to position Palestine as the gateway to the Middle East. “We hope that through this pilgrimage, we can begin to formalize the strong bonds between the Holy See and our noble country and that one day soon, Palestine may serve as the entry point of the Holy See into the Middle East and the rest of the Arab World.”
“Jerusalem and Bethlehem are ready,” he added, “and all Palestinians are eager to be there to witness this visit. They will join from all over our nation, including Gaza, Jenin, Zababdeh, Nablus, Jericho and the towns and villages of the Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Ramallah districts. We are also making arrangements to allow thousands of Palestinian Christians from the Galilee to attend Mass in Bethlehem, reaffirming their commitment to their church as well as to their Palestinian identity.”
Referring to Francis as “the light of hope shining more than before” he acknowledged his one-year anniversary as pope.
He ended with a political reference to the conflict with Israel by saying, “we look to your example as we strive to retain hope and to overcome occupation, separation, exile and injustice in this land.”
“With whom the kings of the earth committed fornication.” Revelation 17:2
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