THE POPES LAST DAY IN ISRAEL AND TRIP RECAP

FALSE POPE FROM THE VATICAN

REVELATION 13:11-13
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth;(FALSE VATICAN POPE) and he had two horns like a lamb,(JESUS IS THE LAMB OF GOD) and he spake as a dragon.(HES SATANICALLY INSPIRED,HES A CHRISTIAN DEFECTOR FROM THE FAITH)
12 And he (FALSE RELIGIOUS LEADER) exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him,(WORLD DICTATOR) and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.(THE WORLD DICTATOR CREATES A FALSE RESURRECTION AND IS CROWNED LEADER OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER).
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

REVELATION 17:1-5,9,15-18
1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication,(VATICAN IN POLITICS) and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 And the woman (FALSE CHURCH) was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour,(VATICAN COLOURS)(ANOTHER REASON WE KNOW THE FALSE POPE COMES FROM THE VATICAN) and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.(THE VATICAN IS BUILT ON 7 HILLS OR MOUNTAINS)
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.(VATICAN-CATHOLICS ALL AROUND THE WORLD OVER 1 BILLION)
16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast,(WORLD DICTATOR) these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.(BOMB OR NUKE THE VATICAN)
17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city,(VATICAN) which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

LAND FOR PEACE (THE FUTURE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH)

JOEL 3:2
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people(ISRAEL) and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.(UPROOTED ISRAELIS AND DIVIDED JERUSALEM)(THIS BRINGS ON WW3 BECAUSE JERUSALEM IS DIVIDED,WARNING TO ARABS-MUSLIMS AND THE WORLD).

THE WEEK OF DANIEL 9:27 WE KNOW ITS 7 YRS

Heres the scripture 1 week = 7 yrs Genesis 29:27-29
27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week:(7 YEARS) and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.

DANIEL 11:21-23
21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.

DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks(62X7=434 YEARS+7X7=49 YEARS=TOTAL OF 69 WEEKS OR 483 YRS) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMAN LEADERS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.(THERE HAS TO BE 70 WEEKS OR 490 YRS TO FUFILL THE VISION AND PROPHECY OF DAN 9:24).(THE NEXT VERSE IS THAT 7 YR WEEK OR (70TH FINAL WEEK).
27 And he ( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant (PEACE TREATY) with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE ANIMAL SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

JEREMIAH 6:14
14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

JEREMIAH 8:11
11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:3
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

ISAIAH 33:8
8  The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant,(7 YR TREATY) he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.(THE WORLD LEADER-WAR MONGER CALLS HIMSELF GOD)

JERUSALEM DIVIDED

GENESIS 25:20-26
20  And Isaac was forty years old (A BIBLE GENERATION NUMBER=1967 + 40=2007+) when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
21  And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22  And the children (2 NATIONS IN HER-ISRAEL-ARABS) struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.
23  And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels;(ISRAEL AND THE ARABS) and the one people shall be stronger than the other people;(ISRAEL STRONGER THAN ARABS) and the elder shall serve the younger.(LITERALLY ISRAEL THE YOUNGER RULES (ISSAC)(JACOB-LATER NAME CHANGED TO ISRAEL) OVER THE OLDER ARABS (ISHMAEL)(ESAU)
24  And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
25  And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.(THE OLDER AN ARAB)
26  And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob:(THE YOUNGER-ISRAELI) and Isaac was threescore (60) years old when she bare them.(1967 + 60=2027)(COULD BE THE LAST GENERATION WHEN JERUSALEM IS DIVIDED AMOUNG THE 2 TWINS)(THE 2 TWINS WANT JERUSALEM-THE DIVISION OF JERUSALEM TODAY)(AND WHOS IN CONTROL OF JERUSALEM TODAY-THE YOUNGER ISSAC-JACOB-ISRAEL)(AND WHO WANTS JERUSALEM DIVIDED-THE OLDER,ESAU-ISHMAEL (THE ARABS)

ISAIAH 28:14-19 (THIS IS THE 7 YR TREATY COVENANT OF DANIEL 9:27)
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

05/26/2014 - VATICAN INSIDER-Francis: “Bishops and priests must not be false traitors”-Francis at the Church of All Nations-Francis met priests, religious and seminarians in the Church of All Nations in Gethsemane: “We are all exposed to sin and evil”-Domenico Agasso jr

jerusalem-“Here, in this place, each of us – bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and seminarians – might do well to ask: Who am I, before the sufferings of my Lord?” Francis said this during today’s meeting with priests, religious and seminarians at the Church of All Nations in Jerusalem.“At the hour which God had appointed to save humanity from its enslavement to sin, Jesus came here, to Gethsemane, to the foot of the Mount of Olives. We now find ourselves in this holy place, a place sanctified by the prayer of Jesus, by his agony, by his sweating of blood, and above all by his “yes” to the loving will of the Father. We dread in some sense to approach what Jesus went through at that hour; we tread softly as we enter that inner space where the destiny of the world was decided,” Francis said.“In that hour,” Francis continued, “Jesus felt the need to pray and to have with him his disciples, his friends, those who had followed him and shared most closely in his mission. But here, at Gethsemane, following him became difficult and uncertain; they were overcome by doubt, weariness and fright. As the events of Jesus’ passion rapidly unfolded, the disciples would adopt different attitudes before the Master: closeness, distance, hesitation.” “Here, in this place, each of us – bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and seminarians – might do well to ask: Who am I, before the sufferings of my Lord? Am I among those who, when Jesus asks them to keep watch with him, fall asleep instead, and rather than praying, seek to escape, refusing to face reality? Do I see myself in those who fled out of fear, who abandoned the Master at the most tragic hour in his earthly life? Is there perhaps duplicity in me, like that of the one who sold our Lord for thirty pieces of silver, who was once called Jesus’ “friend”, and yet ended up by betraying him? Do I see myself in those who drew back and denied him, like Peter? Shortly before, he had promised Jesus that he would follow him even unto death; but then, put to the test and assailed by fear, he swore he did not know him. Am I like those who began planning to go about their lives without him, like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, foolish and slow of heart to believe the words of the prophets.”“Or, thanks be to God, do I find myself among those who remained faithful to the end, like the Virgin Mary and the Apostle John? On Golgotha, when everything seemed bleak and all hope seemed pointless, only love proved stronger than death. The love of the Mother and the beloved disciple made them stay at the foot of the Cross, sharing in the pain of Jesus, to the very end.”“The love of the Mother and the beloved disciple made them stay at the foot of the Cross, sharing in the pain of Jesus, to the very end.”“Do I recognize myself in those who imitated their Master and Lord to the point of martyrdom, testifying that he was everything to them, the incomparable strength sustaining their mission and the ultimate horizon of their lives?” Francis continued.Francis then stressed that “Jesus’ friendship with us, his faithfulness and his mercy, are a priceless gift which encourages us to follow him trustingly, our failures, our mistakes and betrayals notwithstanding.”“But the Lord’s goodness does not dispense us from the need for vigilance before the Tempter, before sin, before the evil and the betrayal which can enter even into the religious and priestly life.” “All of us,” he said off the cuff, “are exposed to sin, evil and betrayal.”“We are fully conscious of the disproportion between the grandeur of God’s call and of own littleness, between the sublimity of the mission and the reality of our human weakness. Yet the Lord in his great goodness and his infinite mercy always takes us by the hand lest we drown in the sea of our fears and anxieties. He is ever at our side, he never abandons us.” “And so, let us not be overwhelmed by fear or disheartened, but with courage and confidence let us press forward in our journey and in our mission.”“You, dear brothers and sisters,” Francis emphasized, “are called to follow the Lord with joy in this holy land! It is a gift and it is a responsibility. Your presence here is extremely important; the whole Church is grateful to you and she sustains you by her prayers.”“I would like to extend a greeting to all Christians in Jerusalem. I remember them with affection and I pray for them. I am well aware of the difficulties they experience in their city.”After his visit to the Chief Rabbinate in Israel and before arriving at the Church of All Nations, the Pope met with a group of sick Christian children suffering from tumours.

JOEL 3:2
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people(ISRAEL) and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.(UPROOTED ISRAELIS AND DIVIDED JERUSALEM)(THIS BRINGS ON WW3 BECAUSE JERUSALEM IS DIVIDED,WARNING TO ARABS-MUSLIMS AND THE WORLD).

JOEL 2:3,30
3 A fire devoureth (ATOMIC BOMB) before them;(RUSSIAN-ARAB-MUSLIM ARMIES AGAINST ISRAEL) and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.(ATOMIC BOMB AFFECT)

ZECHARIAH 14:12-13
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet,(DISOLVED) and their eyes shall consume away in their holes,(DISOLVED) and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.(DISOLVED)(BECAUSE NUKES HAVE BEEN USED ON ISRAELS ENEMIES)(GOD PROTECTS ISRAEL AND ALWAYS WILL)
13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.(1/2-3 BILLION DIE IN WW3)(THIS IS AN ATOMIC BOMB EFFECT)

REVELATION 9:18
18 By these three was the third part of men killed,(2 BILLION) by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.(ATOMIC BOMBS)

PROOF HALF ON EARTH DIE DURING THE 7 YR TRIBULATION PERIOD (8 BILLION ON EARTH)

REVELATION 6:7-8 (8 BILLION- 2 BILLION = 6 BILLION)
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse:(CHLORES GREEN) and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth,(2 BILLION) to kill with sword,(WEAPONS) and with hunger,(FAMINE) and with death,(INCURABLE DISEASES) and with the beasts of the earth.(ANIMAL TO HUMAN DISEASE).

REVELATION 9:15,18 (6 BILLION - 2 BILLION = 4 BILLION)
15 And the four(DEMONIC WAR) angels were loosed,
18 By these three was the third part of men killed,(2 BILLION) by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.(NUCLEAR ATOMIC BOMBS)

HALF OF EARTHS POPULATION DIE DURING THE 7 YR TRIBULATION.(THESE VERSES ARE JUDGEMENT SCRIPTURES NOT RAPTURE SCRIPTURES)

LUKE 17:34-37 (8 TOTAL BILLION - 4 BILLION DEAD IN TRIB = 4 BILLION TO JESUS KINGDOM) (HALF DIE DURING THE 7 YR TRIBULATION PERIOD JUST LIKE THE BIBLE SAYS)(GOD DOES NOT LIE)(AND NOTICE MOST DIE IN WAR AND DISEASES-NOT COMETS-ASTEROIDS-QUAKES OR TSUNAMIS)
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other shall be left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.(Christians have new bodies,this is the people against Jerusalem during the 7 yr treaty)(Christians bodies are not being eaten by the birds).THESE ARE JUDGEMENT SCRIPTURES-NOT RAPTURE SCRIPTURES.BECAUSE NOT HALF OF PEOPLE ON EARTH ARE CHRISTIANS.AND THE CONTEXT IN LUKE 17 IS THE 7 YEAR TRIBULATION OR 7 YR TREATY PERIOD.WHICH IS JUDGEMENT ON THE EARTH.NOT 50% RAPTURED TO HEAVEN.

MATTHEW 24:37-42
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
42 Watch therefore:(FOR THE LAST DAYS SIGNS HAPPENING) for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

THE POPE AGREEING WITH A 2 STATE SOLUTION-MEANS DIVIDING JERUSALEM- WHICH MEANS 3 BILLION DEAD.YOU SEE WHAT THE POPE WANTS.HE OVIOUSLY DOES NOT KNOW PROPHECY OR HE WOULD NEVER CALL FOR A 2 STATE SOLUTION AND THE DIVISION OF JERUSALEM.

05/25/2014 -VATICAN INSIDER-The Pope: The “Two State Solution” must become reality and not remain merely a dream-Tel Aviv. Francis at the Ben Gurion airport with Peres-Francis in Tel Aviv, greeted by Peres and Netanyahu. The Pope’s pain for the anti-Semitic attack in Brussels-Maurizio Molinari

Reporting from JERUSALEM-“Welcome to Israel, an island of tolerance in the Middle East”. With these words, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted Pope Francis on the runway at the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, where the Pope landed in a Jordanian military helicopter as he arrived from Bethlehem.Pope Francis was received by Shimon Peres, who escorted the Holy Father through the guard of honour. After the national anthems, Peres was the first to speak, expressing a “hope for peace” and condemning the anti-Semitic attack in Brussels as a “senseless murder”.Netanyahu was next to speak, paying homage to the “noble and natural humility” of the Pope, likening it to the Jewish concept of “Tikkun Olam”, the healing of the world, to then highlight how “Israel is a State where the right to freedom of faith is respected”. “We are proud of the pluralistic nature of our society, which respects all its citizens regardless of religion or nationality” added Netanyahu, thanking the Pope for his “strong stance against any anti-Semitic sentiment”. “Welcome to Jerusalem, the eternal city of justice and peace, Salve in Terra Sancta” concluded the Prime Minister.“I thank you for the warm welcome, it is a joy to visit Israel” replied the Pope, saying that he was a “pilgrim in the Holy Land in the footsteps of his predecessors” and expressing his good wishes that “this blessed land be a place in which there is no space for intolerance or violence towards others”. Bergoglio then referred to Jerusalem as a “city of peace” observing how “it is still deeply troubled as a result of longstanding conflicts”.“I implore those in positions of responsibility to leave no stone unturned in the search for equitable solutions to complex problems, so that Israelis and Palestinians may live in peace” added the Pope. “The “Two State Solution” must become reality and not remain merely a dream”. Francis also talked of the right of the Palestinians to a “sovereign homeland” and the right of the Israelis to live in safety.The Pope then repeated his invitation – which he already extended in Bethlehem – to presidents Abu Mazen and Shimon Peres to “come to my home in the Vatican” for a “meeting of prayer” for peace. In the final part of the speech, the Pope condemned the attack at the Jewish museum in Brussels, in which three people were killed including two Israelis: “With a deeply pained heart, I think of those who have lost their lives in the cruel attack that occurred yesterday in Brussels," he said, highlighting the need to “teach tolerance” as an antidote to anti-Semitism.“A particularly moving part of my stay will be my visit to the Yad Vashem Memorial to the six million Jews who were victims of the Shoah, a tragedy which is the enduring symbol of the depths to which human evil can sink. I beg God that there will never be another such crime, in which Jews suffered but also many others,” he concluded. The Pope then left the Ben Gurion airport for Jerusalem, where he will meet the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I on the Mount of Olives.

JESUS RETURNS TO EARTH BODILY TO RULE AND REIGN FROM DAVIDS THRONE FOREVER AND WE COME BACK WITH HIM ON WHITE HORSES.

ACTS 1:10-11
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

ZECHARIAH 14:4
4 And his (JESUS) feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

MATTHEW 24:27-30
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.(WW3 BIGTIME DEATH)
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

REVELATION 19:11-16
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse;(JESUS RETURNS TO EARTH LITERALLY) and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies (CHRISTIANS RAPTURED 7 YEARS EARLIER) which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

ISAIAH 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:(JESUS 1ST COMING) and the government shall be upon his shoulder:(JESUS 2ND COMING AS RULING KING FROM JERUSALEM FOREVER AT THE END OF THE 7 YEAR TRIBULATION) and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his (JESUS) government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David,( IN JERUSALEM) and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

JUDE 14-16
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.(KING JESUS-GOD)
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

05/26/2014 - VATICAN INSIDER-That impossible meeting between the two leaders in the Holy Land-Pope Francis with Shimon Peres-Francis would have liked to have seen Shimon Peres and Abu Mazen together on this trip-Andrea Tornielli

jerusalem-Pope Francis’ “religious” and “spiritual” visit sent out two powerful messages to the Israeli and Palestinian people, the Middle East and the international community yesterday. The “creativity” of the Pope’s gestures is not in any way out of line with the objectives of this pilgrimage: praying in silence in front of a wall and inviting the leaders of two States to the Vatican to pray for peace does not imply a road map is being set out or political and diplomatic strategies imposed.It is important to note that on 13 May 2009, in the very same place, Benedict XVI, had said: “it is tragic to still see walls being erected.” Ratzinger had hoped that the reinforced concrete barrier would come down in the future. It protected the West Bank and kept Israeli’s safer from terrorist attacks. But it also divided families and entire communities and the course along which it was built, made any kind of movement problematic and  made it even harder for a Palestinian State to be created. Francis did not mention this in his speeches as his predecessor had. He “spoke” in his own way, with a silent and eloquent gesture.This may have been the first unscheduled meeting on the Pope’s agenda for his Palestinian visit, Francis’ announcement of a meeting in the Vatican with Peres and Abu Mazen was a whole different kettle of fish. Francis announced this meeting in order to help move things along in the stagnant Palestinian-Israeli peace process. The Pope was keen to hold the meeting during this trip, as an important gesture of peace. But it was not possible given the complex internal political chemistry between President Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and between President Abu Mazen and Hamas.Francis did not give up on his “dream” and in a gesture similar to that of the day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria in September 2013, the Pope’s invitation to the two leaders to visit the Vatican, was accepted by both parties. The meeting will most likely take place on 6 June in the Vatican. Time is tight as Peres’ presidential mandate will end at the end of July. “Our hand is stretched out in peace and will continue to be stretched out in peace, and we shall seek the right path to achieve it," the Israeli president said as he greeted Francis at Tel Aviv airport. “All of us - especially those placed at the service of their respective peoples - have the duty to become instruments and artisans of peace, especially by our prayers,” Francis said, extending his invitation. “Building peace is difficult, but living without peace is a constant torment.” “All men and women of this land, and the world at large, are asking us to work towards peace,” the Pope recalled.

05/26/2014 - VATICAN INSIDER-Francis meets Peres: “Protect the legacy of the Holy Places and those who visit them”-Peres and the Pope-In his speech to the Israeli president Francis sent out another appeal for peace, saying that his “natural humility raises a spiritual elation”-ANDREA TORNIELLI

jerusalem-“The Holy Places are not monuments or museums for tourists, but places where communities of believers daily express their faith.” “Precisely for this reason, their sacred character must be perpetually maintained and protection given … to all those who visit these sites,” Francis said in his address to the President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres, during his courtesy visit to the presidential palace on the last day of his visit to the Holy Land. Francis recalled the “sacred character” of this region for the three great Abrahamite religions. Peres welcomed the Pope in the front garden of the palace and accompanied him inside. Here, Francis signed the golden guestbook.After the private meeting and the exchange of gifts, Francis and Peres returned to the garden to plant an olive tree, a symbol of peace. They then approached the podium with the big white tent, to pronounce their speeches in the presence of hundreds of Israeli children with different backgrounds and religions.“You have come to Jerusalem which radiates faith and understands suffering,” he said, before saying to Francis: “The humility in your nature and the power in your spirit raised a spiritual elation and a thirst for peace.” Peres stressed that respect for the Holy Places is one of Israel’s core values.  The president then spoke of the “innocent blood” that “is crying from this land.” He also said that the Pope “stand as firmly as a rock against any attempt to connect religion to terror.”“I believe that your visit and call for peace will echo through the region and contribute to revitalizing the efforts to complete the peace process between us and the Palestinians, based on two states living in peace. A Jewish state – Israel. And an Arab state – Palestine,” Peres added. “My dear friend, I was young and now I am old. I learnt that dreams do not age and I recommend to all act accordingly,” the president said. He has accepted the Pope’s invitation and will visit the Vatican on 6 June.Francis then took the floor. “The Holy Places are not monuments or museums for tourists, but places where communities of believers daily express their faith and culture, and carry out their works of charity. Precisely for this reason, their sacred character must be perpetually maintained and protection given not only to the legacy of the past but also to all those who visit these sites today and to those who will visit them in the future.” “How good it is when pilgrims and residents enjoy free access to the Holy Places and can freely take part in religious celebrations,” he observed.The Pope then added spontaneously: “You are known as a man of peace and a peacemaker. I appreciate and admire the approach you have taken.”The Pope returned to the subject of the stagnant peace negotiations. “Peacemaking demands first and foremost respect for the dignity and freedom of every human person, which Jews, Christians and Muslims alike believe to be created by God and destined to eternal life. This shared conviction enables us resolutely to pursue peaceful solutions to every controversy and conflict. Here I renew my plea that all parties avoid initiatives and actions which contradict their stated determination to reach a true agreement and that they tirelessly work for peace, with decisiveness and tenacity.”“There is need,” Francis added, “for a firm rejection of all that is opposed to the cultivation of peace and respectful relations between Jews, Christians and Muslims. We think, for example, of recourse to violence and terrorism, all forms of discrimination on the basis of race or religion, attempts to impose one’s own point of view at the expense of the rights of others, anti-Semitism in all its possible expressions, and signs of intolerance directed against individuals or places of worship, be they Jewish, Christian or Muslim.”The Pope then assures Peres of the role which the Christian community intends to play in Israel. “Christians wish … to contribute to the common good and the growth of peace; they wish to do so as full-fledged citizens who reject extremism in all its forms and are committed to fostering reconciliation and harmony.”“The presence of these communities and respect for their rights – as for the rights of all other religious groups and all minorities – are the guarantee of a healthy pluralism and proof of the vitality of democratic values as they are authentically embodied in the daily life and workings of the State.”Finally, the Pope said, in another spur-of-the-moment comment: “You know that I pray for you and I know you pray for me.”

REVELATION 13:11
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth;(FALSE VATICAN POPE) and he had two horns like a lamb,(JESUS IS THE LAMB OF GOD) and he spake as a dragon.(HES SATANICALLY INSPIRED,HES A CHRISTIAN DEFECTOR FROM THE FAITH)

REVELELATION 17:2,9,15
2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication,(VATICAN IN POLITICS) and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.(THE VATICAN IS BUILT ON 7 HILLS OR MOUNTAINS)
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.(VATICAN-CATHOLICS ALL AROUND THE WORLD OVER 1 BILLION)

Vatican Denies Papal Visit Has Political Agenda-Pope had 'no political agenda,' the Vatican claims - despite numerous references to 'State of Palestine' and prayer at security fence.By AFP and Tova Dvorin-First Publish: 5/26/2014, 6:13 PM / Last Update: 5/26/2014, 6:19 PM-IsraelNationNews

The Vatican denied Monday that Pope Francis's Middle East trip has been driven by a political agenda, AFP reports Monday. Francis "has no political agenda" and his unscheduled visits to the Judea and Samaria security fence and to a memorial for Israeli civilians killed in terrorist attacks were "gestures" which "rounded out his official program," Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said.On Sunday, Francis made an unplanned stop by the separation barrier, climbing out of his open jeep to pray, his forehead and hand resting against the wall, in a powerful show of support for Palestinian Arabs.The gesture profoundly angered Israelis, who noted immediately that the wall has saved countless Jewish lives from Palestinian Arab terror. His unscheduled stop Monday at national cemetery on Mount Herzl took place at the personal request of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to "balance" his trip, Lombardi said."I was not surprised to hear negative reactions in Israel over the pope's decision to stop and pray in front of the separation barrier," Lombardi said. "The pope did not know about the (Israeli) memorial, and added it when it was possible."The pope was winding up a packed trip which saw him issue a unique invitation to Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to pray with him at the Vatican to end their "increasingly unacceptable" conflict. Both accepted the invitation.

'No political agenda'?

Although Francis himself stated that the visit is a "purely religious trip," the Vatican - and the Pope himself - has made several questionable statements over the visit. Sunday, Pope Francis addressed what he called "the State of Palestine," according to Ma'an, calling Abbas "a man of peace." In his speech, he called for a two-state solution and an end to the Israeli-Palestinian Arab conflict, which he deemed "unacceptable." The Vatican itself also used select terminology for the proceedings, titling the events on YouTube with specific - and differing - terminology, as demonstrated below. Official Vatican YouTube channel of Bethlehem event - uses 'State of Palestine' Screenshot; special thanks to Yoni Kempinski-.but how does the Vatican relate to the State of Israel? Not as a 'State'? Screenshot; special thanks to Yoni Kempinski​The Vatican said the main reason for the visit was a meeting in Jerusalem with Bartholomew I, the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople, seeking to heal a nearly 1,000-year rift between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches.But ahead of the trip, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin defended the Palestinian Arabs' right to a "sovereign and independent" homeland and said he hoped Francis's visit would lead to "courageous decisions" for peace.Rabbi Sergio Bergman, a member of the Argentinian parliament and close friend of Pope Francis, reported in February that the pope intends to define himself as the "Che Guevera of the Palestinians" and support their "struggle and rights" during his visit.It has also been noted that the pope has been remarkably tight-lipped over the violent persecution of Christians in Bethlehem, instead choosing to condemn alleged Jewish "price tag" vandalism.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/181066#.U4NzE3aRfeE

Livni 'Out of Control' and Must be Stopped, MK Says-MK Danny Danon told Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that he had to restrain 'out of control' Justice Minister Tzipi Livni.By Yaakov Levi-First Publish: 5/26/2014, 7:32 PM-IsraelNationalNews

At the Likud faction meeting Monday, MK Danny Danon told Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that he had to do something to restrain Justice Minister Tzipi Livni – whom, Danon said, was “out of control.""She is running her own private foreign policy in her meetings with Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas, and this is damaging our efforts to fight against Hamas,” Danon said.Reports last week said that Netanyahu was on the verge of firing Livni for meeting with Abbas in an unapproved get-together.Livni reportedly met with Abbas during a trip to London, expressing Israel's dissatisfaction with the unity pact he reached with Hamas.The meeting was the first between Abbas and a senior Israeli official since Israel pulled out of the peace talks in response to the Hamas-Fatah unity pact.According to reports, Livni had informed Netanyahu that she was to meet with Abbas. Netanyahu criticized the move, but sources close to the Prime Minister said that Netanyahu had not even been aware of the meeting. When he found out what she was planning, he specifically told her not to meet with Abbas – a directive she subsequently ignored.Netanyahu was prepared to fire Livni, the sources said, but changed his mind at the last moment, after sources close to Finance Minister Yair Lapid indicated that her firing would trigger a “coalition crisis.”Livni defended her decision to meet Abbas, emphasizing that she would do it again if she felt it was necessary. This, said Danon, was going too far. “Livni is damaging our interests, and you must put a stop to it.” Netanyahu had said over the weekend that he would “weigh options” if Livni held more meetings with Abbas.Meanwhile, Livni slammed Netanyahu for using the term “unilateral” in an interview last week. Netanyahu spoke with Jeffrey Goldberg of Bloomberg View about the failed peace talks with the PA, saying that he wants "a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the Jewish state."Given the failure of the negotiations, he hinted that he is considering unilateral moves. "It’s true that the idea of taking unilateral steps is gaining ground, from the center-left to the center-right. Many Israelis are asking themselves if there are certain unilateral steps that could theoretically make sense," said Netanyahu.Livni said that it was premature to speak of such moves before knowing what they would entail, and what moves would be undertaken. “It's like someone saying that he is in favor of the weather,” she said. “Without a clear direction of what that means, there's no point to saying it.”

05/26/2014 - VATICAN INSIDER-Francis celebrates mass in the Cenacle: “Here the Church was born, and was born to go forth”As Francis’ visit to the Holy Land draws to an end, the Pope celebrates mass in the place where Christ shared the Last Supper with his disciples-Andrea Avveduto

jerusalem-Service, fraternity, the Church. This is the meaning of the Cenacle according to Pope Francis. Just after he met religious in the All Nations Church in Gethsemane, the Holy Father celebrated mass in the very spot where Christ’s Last Supper took place. The Cenacle is Israeli property and the Eucharist cannot usually be celebrated here. A visibly worn out Francis underlined the importance of this site for the whole of Christianity once again, during one of the final stages of his visit. In doing so, he steered clear of the controversies that have clouded his trip over the past few days and immediately gave thanks for “the great gift that the Lord has given us by bringing us together here in the Upper Room for the celebration of the Eucharist.”Before beginning his homily, Francis spared a thought for the Eastern Catholic Patriarchs, whose presence the Bishops of Rome “values very much”. “Thank you for taking part in these moments, you are always in my prayers,” he added. It was as though he wished to reaffirm the need for the Universal Church to breath with two lungs: the Eastern one and the Western one. “Here the Church was born, and was born to go forth,” the Pope said. “To go forth, to set out, does not mean to forget,” because the Church preserves the memory of what has happened. “The Upper Room speaks to us of service, of Jesus giving the disciples an example by washing their feet. Washing one another’s feet signifies welcoming, accepting, loving and serving one another. It means serving the poor, the sick and the outcast.”The Cenacle is also sacrifice, starting from the Eucharist. “In every Eucharistic celebration Jesus offers himself for us to the Father, so that we too can be united with him, offering to God our lives, our work, our joys and our sorrows… offering everything as a spiritual sacrifice.” Only this way can we become Jesus’ friends. “No longer do I call you servants – Jesus said to the Twelve – but I have called you friends.” “The Lord makes us his friends, he reveals God’s will to us and he gives us his very self. This is the most beautiful part of being a Christian.” It is an experience that also takes the inevitable separation into account. “The Upper Room reminds us of the Teacher’s farewell and his promise to return to his friends: “When I go… I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”But Francis warned against pettiness and betrayal which would take place shortly after the Last Supper in the Garden of Gethsemane. Referring to Christ’s Passion, he reminded everyone that any one of us could be Judas, not just others. When we look at others with arrogance, when we judge and when we betray Jesus with our actions.Jesus celebrated the Jewish Easter in the Upper Room on the tomb which according to tradition is King David’s. It therefore “reminds us of sharing, fraternity, harmony and peace among ourselves.” Everything in the place of the Pentecost has  spread through the world. Francis recalled  “how much love and goodness has flowed from the Upper Room! How much charity has gone forth from here, like a river from its source, beginning as a stream and then expanding and becoming a great torrent.”“Lastly, the Upper Room reminds us of the birth of the new family, the Church, established by the risen Jesus; a family that has a Mother, the Virgin Mary. Christian families belong to this great family, and in it they find the light and strength to press on and be renewed, amid the challenges and difficulties of life. All God’s children, of every people and language, are invited and called to be part of this great family, as brothers and sisters and sons and daughters of the one Father in heaven. These horizons are opened up by the Upper Room, the horizons of the Risen Lord and his Church,” the Pope concluded his homily by saying.

05/25/2014 - VATICAN INSIDER-Francis: “I’m open to discussing the Petrine Primacy”Pope Francis and Bartholomew-Francis meets Patriarch Bartholomew at the Empty Tomb and urges all Christian denominations to “walk together towards the fullness of communion”-giacomo galeazzi

Jerusalem-Pope Bergoglio expresses his desire to discuss the Petrine Primacy. “Divisions remain between the churches, even after the  first embrace Christians continue to be persecuted, there is the ecumenicalism of sufferance. Like the stone of the sepulchre, we must cast aside the obstacles that stand between Christians.” Francis and Bartholomew embraced in the same place that the historic embrace between Pope Paul VI and Athenagoras I took place 50 years ago. After having lunch with the poor in the “Casanova” house for pilgrims, Pope Francis met the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in the Apostolic Delegation of Jerusalem.The secretary of state Pietro Parolin and the president of the Pontifical Council for the promotion of the Unity of Christians, Cardinal Kurt Koch, were also present at this important meeting. After an exchange of gifts and a moment of private meeting, the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch signed a Joint Statement. This gesture, they announced, “is a new, necessary step on the path towards communion”. And where “the embrace between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras after centuries of silence laid the foundations for a gesture of extraordinary virtue, the removal from memory and from the midst of the church of the bill of excommunications of 1054”, the new embrace is necessary to reaffirm – explained the two religious leaders – our commitment to continuing to walk together towards unity”. “We long for the day – declared the Pope and Patriarch together – in which we will finally celebrate the Eucharist together”. “A common objective we strive for, we will demonstrate the love of God before the world, and in this way we will be recognised as true disciples of Jesus Christ.”At the start of the ceremony, entering the Holy Sepulchre though different entrances to the church, the two religious leaders embraced again for the benefit of the photographers and TV journalists. Francis motions for Bartholomew to enter the Holy Sepulchre before him. With affection, they then took each other by the hand (as the Pope said to the Patriarch in Italian “be careful not to slip on the stones”) and they passed through the entrance to the Basilica together. Side by side, they then venerated the Stone of the Anointing, bending down with bare heads to kiss it (and Francis was then assisted by master of ceremonies Guido Marini to stand back up). “Here I reiterate the hope already expressed by my predecessors for a continued dialogue with all our brothers and sisters in Christ, aimed at finding a means of exercising the specific ministry of the Bishop of Rome which, in fidelity to his mission, can be open to a new situation and can be, in the present context, a service of love and of communion acknowledged by all”, announced Pope Bergoglio.“We need to believe that, just as the stone before the tomb was cast aside, so too every obstacle to our full communion will also be removed. This will be a grace of resurrection, of which we can have a foretaste even today”, stated Francis. “When Christians of different confessions suffer together, side by side, and assist one another with fraternal charity, there is born an ecumenism of suffering, an ecumenism of blood, which proves particularly powerful not only for those situations in which it occurs, but also, by virtue of the communion of the saints, for the whole Church as well”. Speaking off the cuff, he adds: “Those who kill Christians in hate of the faith do not ask themselves whether they are killing Catholics or Orthodox Christians. They kill and spill Christian blood.”Addressing Patriarch Bartholomew, the Pope encouraged: “Your Holiness, beloved brother, dear brothers and sisters all, let us put aside the misgivings we have inherited from the past and open our hearts to the working of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love and of truth in order to hasten together towards that blessed day when our full communion will be restored.” In fact “we cannot deny the divisions which continue to exist among us, the disciples of Jesus: this sacred place makes us even more painfully aware of how tragic they are”. For Francis, then, “much distance still needs to be travelled before we attain that fullness of communion which can also be expressed by sharing the same Eucharistic table, something we ardently desire”. “Yet our disagreements – urges the Pope - must not frighten us and paralyze our progress. We need to believe that, just as the stone before the tomb was cast aside, so too every obstacle to our full communion will also be removed”. “This will be a grace of resurrection, of which we can have a foretaste even today”. “Every time we ask forgiveness of one another for our sins against other Christians and every time we find the courage to grant and receive such forgiveness, we experience the resurrection! Every time we put behind us our longstanding prejudices and find the courage to build new fraternal relationships, we confess that Christ is truly risen! Every time we reflect on the future of the Church in the light of her vocation to unity, the dawn of Easter breaks forth!”

05/26/2014 - VATICAN INSIDER-The reverse hand kiss, by a Pope who speaks with gestures
Francis kisses Holocaust survivor Grynfeldat's hand-Andrea Tornielli’s analysis: Closeness, fraternity and prayer for one another’s suffering, this is what Francis communiocated during this trip to the Holy Land. The “miracle” at the Holy Sepulchre-Andrea Tornielli
jerusalem-On the third and last day of his pilgrimage commemorating Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras’ meeting, Pope Francis has completed a very brief but also very intense series of encounters in the Holy Land. Today’s key moment was Francis’ visit to the Yad Vashem to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust. Here. Francis showed natural humility, kissing the hands of the survivors present. At one time, people were required to get down on their knees and kiss one of Pope’s shoes. This then changed to a kiss of his ring, as is the done thing with bishops. Still today the personal meetings Pope Francis has with pilgrims at the end of the General Audience, are called the “baciamano” or the hand-kiss.During the course of this trip, Francis kissed the hand of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew, but this gesture of affection and profound respect, which Francis performed in St. Martha’s House with some elderly priests, could be linked in some way to the sacrament of the priesthood or the episcopate: it was customary to kiss priests’ and bishops’ hands. The Pope made similar gesture to Queen Rania of Jordan some months ago. A part from this, no one had ever seen a Pope stop, bend over and kiss the hands of lay people, people with different life stories, united only by the fact that they are Jews who survived that “monstrous” “abyss of evil”, as Francis described it, that was the Holocaust. “A great evil has befallen us, such as never happened under the heavens.”This humble gesture reflects the image of a God who, in the figure of Jesus, stooped down, erased himself and “made himself servant despite being the Lord”, as Francis said about a month ago. The effect of his simple and frank words, coupled with these gestures, has been truly incredible. It has allowed Francis to be himself rig to the very core, without too many diplomatic concerns.This morning, an unexpected and very significant event took place; as important as the Pope’s prayer before the cement wall that divides the West Bank from Israel: Francis decided to stop at the stele that commemorates the victims of terrorism. Here too he rested his hand on the monument. Here too, he prayed in silence. More than an attempt to balance an imbalance that never existed, this was a demonstration of his freedom, that he is truly a man of peace who wants to share victim’s suffering. And lastly, it was an act that could not be politically exploited by either parties.The Pope did not speak about the wall or about walls. He touched them. He embraced Jews and Muslims. He showed his closeness with his gestures. The meeting with Shimon Peres at the presidential palace was not a meeting between two heads of State, it was something more. We will have to wait and see whether Francis’ “creative” and unexpected invitation to hold a meeting of prayer in the Vatican with Peres and Abu Mazen – a meeting which could not take place on this occasion in the Holy Land, as Francis would have liked – will bear any fruits.But the real “miracle” of Francis’ visit - which understandably overshadowed by his visit to Bethlehem, the prayer at the separation wall and the announcement of the summit – is what happened on Sunday evening at the Holy Sepulchre, or rather, the Basilica of the “Anastasis”, of the Resurrection. Peter’s successor, Francis, and Andrew’s successor, Bartholomew, met as real brothers. It was not the outcome of theological dialogue or summits. Once again, it was the result of courage and the temperament of two people, determined to dare. Two people who would have been even more daring but who are aware this could not be done due to internal resistance within their respective Churches.“We have split and separated in practice, so it is in practice that we must meet and unite once more. This practice must be permeated by Christ’s love, the essence of which was expressed by the Apostle Paul,” Athenagoras said. Seeing Francis and Bartholomew walking along holding hands, holding onto each other for support, kneeling down together in the most sacred of places for Christian of all denominations, it was evident that for those two successors of the apostles and sincere followers of Jesus Christ, unity and full communion is not just based on the alchemy of theological debate, but on a recognition – by both - of a common belonging.

THE POPES LAST DAY IN ISRAEL

Pray for us, Netanyahu asks pope as papal visit ends-PM defends security barrier to pontiff; pope at Yad Vashem calls Holocaust greatest evil in history; makes unscheduled stop at memorial to terror victims, inserts note in Western Wall-By Joshua Davidovich May 26, 2014, 7:43 am 13-The Times Of Israel

A day after a politically charged visit to Bethlehem that saw the pontiff pray at the security barrier and appear with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, Francis is spending his last day in the region touring holy sites in Jerusalem and meeting Israeli leaders. Follow the Times of Israel’s liveblog for all the updates.

07:48
High-wire act for Francis-Pope Francis faces a diplomatic high-wire act on Monday as he visits sacred Muslim and Jewish sites in Jerusalem on the final day of his Middle East tour.The pontiff is rounding off a whirlwind trip which saw him issue a unique invitation to Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to pray with him at the Vatican to end the “increasingly unacceptable” Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as snatching a personal moment at Israel’s controversial security barrier.Francis had promised the three-day pilgrimage, which began on Saturday in Jordan, would steer clear of political issues. But he ad-libbed from his scripted speeches to condemn anti-Semitism, religious intolerance and those behind conflicts in the Middle East.On Monday, Jews and Muslims are expected to scrutinize the pope’s every word and gesture as he seeks to bridge the religious divides in meetings with leaders from both sides.The 77-year-old pontiff will meet the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem on the Temple Mount, Islam’s third holiest site, and the holiest in Judaism as the site of the Biblical temples.He will then pray at the Western Wall before visiting the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum, where he will speak with Holocaust survivors, and will also become the first pope ever to lay flowers at Zionist visionary Theodor Herzl’s grave on Mount Herzl.The pope will also celebrate mass at the site known as the Cenacle, or Upper Room, bringing into sharp focus a decades-long debate over the site where Christians believe Jesus had his Last Supper.The site, on Mount Zion, is located in a two-story building also considered holy to Jews and Muslims, who regard it as the place where the biblical figure David was buried.On Sunday, Francis celebrated mass in Bethlehem’s Manger Square amid thousands of cheering, flag-waving Christians.He also made an unscheduled stop by the West Bank security barrier, climbing out of his open jeep to pray, his forehead and hand resting against the wall, in a powerful show of support for the Palestinians.At the end of the open-air mass, the pope weighed in on the Middle East conflict, inviting Abbas and Peres to join him at the Vatican for a “heartfelt prayer” for peace.In the wake of the latest breakdown in US-led peace talks, Francis called on leaders to show “courage” to achieve a peace based on a two-state solution, saying “building peace is difficult, but living without peace is a constant torment.”A senior Palestinian official confirmed Abbas had accepted and would visit the Vatican on June 6, while Peres’s spokesman said only that the invitation was welcomed.In a boost for relations between bickering Christians, Francis joined Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I in an historic joint prayer for unity between Rome and Constantinople.The pair met, embraced and kissed at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre inside the walled Old City to mark the historic meeting 50 years ago between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras — the first easing of tensions between the Churches since the Great Schism in the 11th century.Francis has said the main reason for Middle East visit was the meeting with Bartholomew I, and “to pray for peace in that land, which has suffered so much.” (AFP/Times of Israel staff)
08:01
Roads closed around Old City-With Pope Francis jaunting around town Monday, most Jerusalemites are gearing up for wide-ranging traffic delays across the capital.The pope famously prefers an unarmored popemobile, meaning security officials, unwilling to take chances, plan on closing several roads around his route as he goes from the Old City to Mount Herzl and then to meetings with leaders before heading back to Mount Zion.In the morning, most police closures will center around approaches to the Old City as Francis makes the short commute between his Latin Patriarchate suite and the holy esplanade of the Temple Mount and the Western Wall.For now, police say closed roads are: Ben Adiyah, Rockefeller Square, Jericho Way and Mota Gur Ascent.
08:10
Francis visits Dome of the Rock-Flanked by a large phalanx of men in suits, Francis arrives on the Temple Mount, where he is being taken on a tour by the grand mufti of Jerusalem.Francis enters the Dome of the Rock, at the heart of a site revered by Jews as the location of the first and second Temples as well as the Foundation Stone of the earth, and by Muslims as the site where the prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven.
08:16
Shoes back on, Francis heads across Temple Mount-Upon leaving the Dome of the Rock, Pope Francis puts his shoes back on, getting a special chair to do so.He then slowly makes his way across the Temple Mount plaza, stopping to shake hands with Muslim leaders, amid a constant cacophony of camera clicks.
08:29
Mufti: Peace must be based on mutual respect-The grand mufti, Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, speaks to Pope Francis, explaining the importance of the sites for Muslims, who believe it is where Mohammed ascended to heaven.The mufti adds that peace in the region will only happen when there is mutual respect between the sides.
08:37
Francis: Nobody may abuse God’s name through violence-Pope Francis addresses the Muslims on the Mount, making a heartfelt plea to “all communities who look to Abraham” for respect and understanding.“May no one abuse the name of God through violence, may we work together for justice and peace,” he says.He thanks the leaders for their warm welcome, and says the Dome of the Rock reminds the three great faiths, Christianity, Islam and Judaism, of what they have in common, including monotheism, a large following and a rich history.He finishes with “Salaam.”
08:43
Francis heads to Western Wall-The pontiff now shares a final word with the mufti and other Muslim leaders before entering a Subaru and making the short journey from the Temple Mount to the Western Wall below.Officials took the rare measure of clearing the Western Wall plaza for security, meaning the pope will not be accosted by anyone trying to sell him red string.
08:57
Francis walks to the Western Wall-Francis arrives at the Western Wall, being greeted by wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch.After exchanging a few words, the two walk slowly down the ramp to the wall, where Francis will bow his head in prayer.
09:01
Pope shown model of Temple Mount-Before making it to the wall, Francis is given a short historical briefing on the site, from Solomon’s temple to Herod’s renovation of the Second Temple, which gave Jews the Western Wall, part of the the retaining wall for the site.The pope is shown a 3-D model of the site, while told in English about the history of the site and where he is standing.
09:08
Rabbi emphasizes Jewish hold on Jerusalem-Shmuel Rabinovitch speaks to the pope, mentioning the temple’s menorah, or candelabra, looted by the Romans 2,000 years ago and thought to have been taken to the Italian capital.Rabinovitch says the Jewish people are standing strong in Israel after the Holocaust, and emphasizes the Jewish connection to Jerusalem, quoting Jeremiah and Psalms.He requests that all believers abandon hate and anti-Semitism, noting the deadly attack on a Jewish museum in Brussels on Saturday.
09:12
Pope puts note in Western Wall-Francis takes a note and reads it before putting it in the Western Wall and taking a minute to pray in front of the holy site, bowing his head and touching the ancient stones.He then hugs Rabbi Abraham Skorka and Muslim leader Omar Abboud, who are accompanying him on his trip.
09:22
Pope signs guest book, heads to Yad Vashem-After an exchange of gifts (the pope gets a book, Israel gets an ancient map), Francis signs the Western Wall guestbook with a lengthy entry, telling the Wall rabbi that he wrote of his joy at visiting the site.From here, the papal delegation is moving to Mount Herzl for a visit to Theodor Herzl’s grave and then they’re off on a highly touted trip to the Holocaust memorial at Yad Vashem.At the site, Francis will meet President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders.While there, the pope will “rekindle the eternal flame,” lay a wreath and meet with six Holocaust survivors.He will also give an address where he is expected to condemn anti-Semitism.
09:35
Israel marks papal visit with stamps-The Israel Philatelic Service today publishes a stamp sheet in honor of the pope’s visit in Jerusalem. The sheet contains 12 postage stamps showing a local beach with the word “Israel” written in the sand, and 12 images of important Christian Holy sites in the Holy Land, such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.“Israel’s stamps are a diverse gallery of events and personalities, crossing seas and continents and act as bridge between cultures,” says Israel Philatelic Service director Yaron Razon.Once the pontiff concludes his visit, the service will issue another special sheet with stamps featuring “exclusive pictures,” the Israel Postal Company announced.
09:40
‘Every Jerusalemite’s dream’-As Francis makes his way across the capital to Mount Herzl on its western edge, helicopters can be heard buzzing overhead.The pope’s large motorcade glides unimpeded through empty streets across the notoriously clogged city, a picture of what one Israeli TV commentator calls “every Jerusalemite’s dream.”
09:42
Visit to Herzl’s grave a ‘nod to Zionism’-Francis’s visit to Herzl’s grave for a wreath laying will be fairly short, but many see it as having a wide significance in giving papal support for Zionism.Speaking in Jerusalem last week, Abraham Skorka noted that Francis’s visit to Mount Herzl and Herzl’s grave could be understood as a nod to Zionism. “That is a meaningful act,” Skorka said. “He understands the importance of the Land of Israel and the State of Israel to the Jewish people.”The two last popes who visited Israel — John Paul II in 2000 and Benedict XVI in 2009 — did not visit Herzl’s grave. (The first pope to visit, Paul VI in 1964, steadfastly refused to acknowledge that he was even in Israel.)
The visit may also act as a counterbalance to his support Sunday for the “State of Palestine.”
09:51
Pope to make unplanned visit to terror victims’ memorial-Francis, flanked by Peres and Netanyahu, lays a wreath at Herzl’s grave and marks a moment of silence at the site.He had originally been planned to be whisked away to nearby Yad Vashem right after, but while at the Mount Herzl military cemetery, Francis will apparently make an unscheduled stop at a monument for terror victims, at the request of Netanyahu.
09:57
Visit to terror memorial counterbalance to wall stop?-The visit to the terror victims’ memorial, at Netanyahu’s request, could be seen as a response to the pope’s unplanned visit to the security barrier in Bethlehem on Sunday.The stop at the barrier became a highlight of the pope’s trip and was seen a major PR coup for Palestinian efforts to highlight Israeli repression.The memorial is nearby on Mount Herzl, and so will not throw off the trip’s very tight scheduling by much.
10:07
Pope visits terror memorial with Peres, Netanyahu-The pope is spending several minutes at the terror victims memorial, standing next to Peres and Netanyahu and surrounded by security and press.The site was inaugurated in 1998 and commemorates victims of terror attacks since 1851 on 78 tablets.
10:17
Last pope’s speech at Yad Vashem ill-received-The pope is making the short jump to Yad Vashem, marking the most emotional part of the visit, at least for Jews closely following it.The last visit by a pope to the site, Benedict’s visit in 2009, drew some ire after the pontiff, who was a member of the Hitler Youth, was accused of issuing a “lukewarm” condemnation of anti-Semitism, according to a Haaretz report at the time.Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, the chairman of Yad Vashem and father of Chief Rabbi David Lau, who will meet Francis after the Yad Vashem visit, said Benedict’s speech refused to acknowledge the enormity of the Holocaust.“There’s a dramatic difference between killed and murdered, especially when a speech has gone through so many hands,” Lau told the paper at the time.The speech “didn’t have a single word of condolence, compassion or sharing the pain of the Jewish people as such. There was a lot about the pain of humanity, cosmopolitan words,” he added, noting that he used “millions” and not “six million.”
10:24
Pope enters Yad Vashem-The pope enters Yad Vashem with his sizable delegation, including its heads Yisrael Meir Lau and Avner Shalev.
10:29
Choir sings Hannah Szenes poem-The Ankor girls choir stands in the hall, solemnly singing a poem by Hannah Szenes, a Hungarian girl who escaped Budapest for Israel, then returned to Europe to rescue Jews before she was captured and killed.The haunting music gives the ceremony an otherworldly feel.The choir was also on hand in 2009 for pope Benedict’s visit to Yad Vashem.
10:31
Francis lays wreath-Pope Francis places a wreath at Yad Vashem, pausing for a moment to remember the victims of the Shoah.
10:41
Pope meets survivors-After hearing the solemn prayer of El Maleh Rahamim, traditionally said over the dead, Pope Francis kisses hands with six survivors: Avraham Harshalom, Chava Shik, Joseph Gottdenker, Moshe Ha-Elion, Eliezer Grynfeld, and Sonia Tunik-Geron.The life stories of the six were published by Yad Vashem, each special in its own way, yet tragically typical of all of Europe’s Jews who lived through the Holocaust.
10:45
‘Adam where are you?’-Pope Francis ascends to the podium and stands silently for several moments before beginning his speech.“Adam, where are you, where are you, old man?” he begins, quoting Genesis.“In this memorial of the Shoah we hear this question once again,” he says.
10:48
‘Never again, Lord’-The pope asks a series of questions of his fellow humans, who caused such tragedy.“Who corrupted you, who disfigured you, who led you to believe you are the master of good and evil? Not only did you torture your brothers and sisters but you sacrificed them to yourself, because you made yourself a God.”“Once again in this place we hear this voice of God. Adam, where are you?”“A great evil has befallen us, as such that has never occurred,” he says.“Grant us the grace to be ashamed of what men have done, to be ashamed of this massive idolatry.”“Never again, Lord, never again,” he concludes.
11:04
Pope presented with painting from Shoah victim-The pope takes several moments after his address, standing at the podium before stepping down and being presented with a replica of the painting “Prayer,” drawn by Holocaust victim Abramek Koplowicz when he was 13.The choir then sings the Psalm “Mi Ha’ish” before the pope and his delegation leave.
11:09
Netanyahu tells pope security fence prevents terror-Netanyahu releases a statement thanking the pope for visiting the terror victims’ memorial at Mount Herzl.“I explained to the pope that the security fence prevented many more victims that Palestinian terror, which continues today, planned to harm,” Netanyahu says, referring to Sunday’s papal pause at the security barrier at Bethlehem.The statement essentially confirms the suspicion that the stop at the memorial was intended as a response to Francis’s visit to the wall in Bethlehem, during which he offered a silent prayer.The pope had said the trip would steer clear of politics, but it seems he has quickly found himself at the center of a tugging match between Israel and the Palestinians.
11:17
Pope heads to meeting with chief rabbis-After leaving Yad Vashem the pope will now venture into the heart of west Jerusalem for visits to Heichal Shlomo with the country’s two chief rabbis, Ashkenazi rabbi David Lau and Sephardi rabbi Yitzhak Yosef.The pope will deliver a speech there before a visit to the President’s Residence where he will speak with Shimon Peres.
11:21
Rabbis greet Francis with thanks-Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef thanks the pope for speaking against anti-Semitism and welcomes him to Jerusalem.Turning to his right, the other chief rabbi, David Lau, tells Francis that Jerusalem has meaning for the three major monotheistic religions and says he hopes they can give peace to the world.
11:26
Francis given book on Vatican-Jewish ties-Pope Francis is presented with a book about Vatican-Jewish relations.The group is then introduced to the various dignitaries in the audience.
11:29
A way to watch the pope’s visit-While our liveblog offers up-to-the-minute coverage of Pope Francis’s visit, those who want a more live experience can tune into the Vatican news site’s video feed, which is following all the goings-on complete with English translations.
11:32
Pope calls terror ‘absolute evil’-Lior Haiat, a diplomatic official organizing the pope’s visit, says Francis strongly condemned terror while at the terror victims’ memorial.“Terror is absolute evil. It comes from evil and causes evil,” he quotes the pope saying. “Never again. Never again.”
11:45
Yosef thanks pope for stance against anti-Semitism-Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef gives the first speech, zeroing in on the Ten Commandments and noting that the first five deal with relations between man and God and the second five, between man and man.“It’s impossible to separate between man and God and man and his fellow,” Yosef says.Yosef then tells a Talmudic parable about a donkey and a gem with the moral that man must not be selfish, but share what he has.“We believe there is a place for God, but also our fellow,” he says.Bringing up Saturday’s Belgium museum shooting attack, he then thanks the pope for speaking out against anti-Semitism and says the church can help bring peace, “a real peace.”
11:50
Lau: Bolster Israel, where there is freedom of religion-Chief Rabbi David Lau speaks next, saying he wants to focus on the importance of life.“Even our most important commandments are pushed off if there is a life-and-death danger.”Lau says a few meters from here, people — women, children, babies — were killed. People from all religions took care of the wounded, he adds, without regard for religious.He calls on the pope to convene an interfaith peace conference in Jerusalem, saying that there is freedom of religion in all areas under Israeli control.“Strengthen Israel, strengthen the Jews against hate and anti-Semtism,” Lau urges the pope.
11:58
Pope calls for spiritual Jewish-Christian ties-Now the pope stands up to speak, saying he’s been able to count on Jewish organizations for support since his ascent to the papacy.“I’m convinced that the progress that has been made in recent decades between Jews and Catholics has been a genuine gift from God,” he says.He also notes the growing dialogue between the Chief Rabbi and the Vatican’s department for relations with the Jews, saying it is reaching its bar mitzvah and has a bright future.He then calls for the bond to be investigated not just from a human angle but also spiritual.“On the part of Catholics there is a sincere desire to reflect on the Jewish roots of our own faith,” he says. “I trust with your help among Jews too there will be a genuine interest in Christianity.”
“Together we can make a great contribution to the cause of peace,” he says.
12:06
Pope to meet Peres, sick kids-After meeting the chief rabbis, the pope will now leave for a meeting with President Shimon Peres at his residence in the leafy Rehavia suburb.While there, the two will hold a private meeting with Israeli and Vatican officials.They will also give public remarks at a ceremony at the residence.The pope will also meet with a group of sick Christian-Arab children whose wish to meet the pope is being made possible through the Make-a-Wish Foundation.A group of students from a Catholic high school in Haifa are also on hand for the stop, along with a large gaggle of press.The room where Peres and the pope will meet. On the left is a mosaic made by Galilee children which will be presented to Francis. (photo credit: Haviv Rettig Gur / Times of Israel)
The room where Peres and the pope will meet. On the right is a mosaic made by Galilee children which will be presented to Francis. (photo credit: Haviv Rettig Gur/Times of Israel)
12:11
Francis’s ‘kind eyes’-Religious Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett posts a picture of himself on Facebook, writing that he told the pope that he sees the State of Israel as the realization of the biblical prophetic visions.Plus, he writes, he noted that Francis had “kind eyes.”
12:16
Francis in Peres’s house-After a quick trip, the pope arrives at the President’s Residence, where he is greeted by Peres and taken to see the group of sick children, who kiss his hands before he moves on.He is then taken to sign the guestbook, sitting as camera flashes pop amid a large media presence.
12:24
Peres and Francis exchange gifts-Peres sits with Francis, before the two quickly get up to inspect the mosaic, which shows an olive tree and doves for peace, as well as a fish, to represent Jesus.
Francis gives Peres a medallion representing the visit of Pope Paul VI, 50 years ago in 1964, which this trip commemorates.“I thank you for your message of peace,” the pope tells Peres. “I feel very blessed.”Peres thanks the pope, and the journalists, who are studiously watching every move of theirs.
12:36
Pope has ‘good feeling’ with Peres-Pope and Peres are now holding their private meeting before making public remarks at ceremony outside.On Sunday, Francis invited Peres and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to visit the Vatican to pray for peace, and both accepted.
Officials say the meeting will take place on June 6.A Vatican spokesperson told reporters the invite to Peres and not Netanyahu was not a slight, but a sign of the close friendship between the pontiff and the president.“The pope has with President Peres a good feeling, this is clear,” the spokesperson said, according to The New York Times. “This is not an exclusion of the other, but there are good premises to pray together with President Peres and Mahmoud Abbas.”
12:56
Peres, Francis symbolically plant tree-After about a 15-minute meeting, Peres and the pope enter the sunlight for the public ceremony.Before going on stage, the two stop next to an olive tree to symbolically plant it while strolling through the residence gardens.Interestingly, though Francis is about 15 years younger than Peres, it seems the Israeli president is the one helping him down the stairs and not vice versa.
13:04
Peres calls pope ‘combatant against anti-Semitism’-“You have come to Jerusalem which radiates faith and understands suffering. The humility in your nature and the power in your spirit raised a spiritual elation and a thirst for peace,” Peres tells the pope in prepared remarks.“Today, you are greeted here by a distinguished and diverse representation of Israeli society. A society in which freedom of speech, the right to express oneself and the respect of holy sites are cornerstone values.”
Peres then calls Francis a “combatant against discrimination, anti-Semitism and racism.”
13:05
Peres: Bloodshed calls for soul-searching-Without naming names, Peres lashes out at “the blood that is shed in city squares, and in the thick of villages.”“No one can stand the growing number of widows, orphans, refugees that run with nowhere to go, and foodless. Grief and bereavement calls for true soul-searching, everywhere and at all time.”
13:06
‘Moral ethics and science can solve poverty and violence’-“Your visit, Your Holiness, is a moving event with the power to motivate the religious leaders into joining forces to enable moral ethics and scientific innovations to enable each person to free themselves from despair, poverty and violence,” Peres continues.“Faith and science have the power to reveal the hidden strengths within people, the treasures of the land, and the innovation stemming from research centers.”
13:07
Peres: Spiritual leaders must take stand against terror-Peres than calls for a world without fear, free of terror.“Those who plant the seeds of evil today are the terror organizations. … They have no pity and spread destruction. … We must stand together to prevent the menace on the lives of people and on world peace,” he says.“In the face of moral corruption we must show moral responsibility. And make clear that there is no greater contradiction than that between faith and murder,” Peres continues. “I appeal to all the religious and spiritual leaders of our time: Make your voices clearly heard. With a distinct message. It is our duty that our children, the children of the world, regardless of religion or nationality, may live without fear and grow up in a world free of slaughter, a world which allows each person to live as a human being.”
13:09
People are ready for peace, Peres says-The president tells the pope that his visit is important for regional peace.“I believe that your visit and call for peace will echo through the region and contribute to revitalizing the efforts to complete the peace process between us and the Palestinians, based on two states living in peace. A Jewish state — Israel. And an Arab state — Palestine,” he says.“This solution can be reached by mutual agreement. I believe that the citizens of the region want peace. They pray for peace. They are ready for peace with their neighbors and with all the nations of our region.”
13:11
Peres: I will pray that we work together to end strife-Peres responds to an invitation from the pope to visit the Vatican with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to pray for peace.“Your visit to the Holy Land is an important opportunity for a joint prayer to God in Heaven for peace. We would be honored to offer such a prayer either in our home or yours. In accordance with your kind offer,” he says.“A prayer that children will grow without danger to their lives. That a mother will bear her child without hearing a siren. That every man will sit under his vine or his fig tree untroubled. We will work together, Jews, Christians and Muslims to bring an end to the conflicts.”“Economic prosperity and social justice for all. I believe that peace is the key to bringing about these changes.”
13:13
‘Israel born in innocence’-Peres tells Francis that Israel is open to all pilgrims and was “born in innocence.”“We are a small nation but with the world. A nation dedicated to tikkun olam – bettering the world. A world which you call ‘a world of brotherhood.’”He finishes with a call to not give up on peace.“I was young and now I am old. I learned that dreams do not age and I recommend to all act accordingly,” he says.“You walked in pilgrimage and you paved a road.”
13:15
‘Long live the pope’-The pope now rises to speak, to raucous applause, at least by President’s Residence standards, and cheers of “long live the pope.”
13:18
Dignity leads to peace-Francis makes a call for protection to be given to holy sites, with their statuses maintained and also safeguarded for the future.“How good it is when pilgrims and residence enjoy free access to holy places,” he says.“You are known as a man of peace and a peacemaker,” he tells Peres, calling for dignity of every person.That dignity, he says, can bring peace. He calls for all sides to continue to work for peace.
13:21
Francis: Christians in Israel want to be full-fledged citizens-Francis speaks out against discrimination, terror and anti-Semitism. Says Israeli Christians live in Israel and wish to contribute as “full fledged citizens who reject terrorism in all its forms.”Pope says guaranteeing freedom for all religious groups is important to the health of the state.“I assure you of my constant prayer for the attainment of peace, and all the inestimable goods that accompany it.”
13:22
‘Peace be upon Israel’-Francis ends his speech with a call for “peace upon Israel.”The choir then again kicks into gear again, this time joined with Israeli singer David D’or with a song about peace.
13:27
Francis in Yad Vashem guestbook: Never again!!-The text of the pope’s entry into the Yad Vashem guest book, written in Spanish, follows the same theme as his speech there, noting the depths to which man can sink and calling for “never again.”“With shame for what man, who was created in the image of God, was able to do; with shame for the fact that man made himself the owner of evil; with shame that man made himself into God and sacrificed his brothers. Never again!! Never again!!”
13:29
The pope’s note in the Western Wall-Here is a picture of the pope before he inserted his note into the Western Wall, apparently captured by a very well-placed camera. Can anybody make out what the note says?
13:36
Simple fare planned at lunch with Netanyahu-After the songs, Francis makes his way out of the President’s Residence. He will now head back toward the Old City, where he will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Notre Dame Center and have lunch.We don’t know what is on the menu, but as we reported last month, it will likely include simple fare: soups, rice and water rather than wine or spirits, at the Vatican’s request.“Of course, he’s Argentinian, so look for good, good meat,” Father Juan María Solana, L.C., chargé of The Holy See at the Notre Dame center, said in late April. “We would like to offer the Holy Father the best we can, because he is our leader and our superior, and we love him very much — because he is the pope, and because he is Francis.”
13:55
Christians kept from Jerusalem conference-Should the pope check his tablet on the way to lunch, he may be unhappy to learn that some 20 Middle Eastern Christians on their way to a conference in Jerusalem were recently denied entry into Israel, as Mitch Ginsburg reports.The Crossroads Conference 2014, run by Vicar David Pileggi, the head of Christ Church Jerusalem, was to host 100 Christians from Egypt, Jordan and Iraq (the Kurdish areas), along with several Armenians and Iranian refugees. The “Vicar of Baghdad,” Canon Andrew White, was the guest of honor.The participants, including two Kurdish parliamentarians who had been granted permission to travel to Israel by the Kurdish Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, one Coptic lawyer and several church leaders, were to take part in a conference that sought to “try and advance greater Christian presence in Muslim lands” and to “encourage them to get out of their ghettos,” Pileggi told The Times of Israel in a phone interview.
Despite 40 visa applications being submitted, only 20 people were allowed in, with an Israeli academic telling Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar the procedure was random.
14:03
PM to pope: I hope neighbors will heed call for tolerance-Pope Francis meets with Benjamin Netanyahu at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem.Speaking through a translator Netanyahu says he hopes the pope’s call for tolerance and against anti-Semitism will be accepted by Israel’s neighbors.
If the terror stopped, we wouldn’t need the security barrier, he tells the pope. If our neighbors accepted the Jewish people’s right to its state, there would be peace at least in this part of the world.
He then presents Francis with a painting before the media is ushered out.
14:47
Christians unprotected in Bethlehem, Netanyahu warns pope-While speaking with Pope Francis, Netanyahu also said the Middle East had become a place where Christians were not safe.Netanyahu singled out Bethlehem, where Francis visited on Sunday, as a place where Christians were not protected.As Time magazine noted Sunday, the pope’s stops in Bethlehem and Amman belied the shrinking role for Christians in the region.In Amman, Francis held mass in front a half-empty stadium, and in Bethlehem most of the 9,000 people attending the service at the Church of the Nativity were foreigners, according to the magazine.The city, revered as the birthplace of Jesus, is today only about 15 percent Christian, down from  a majority just 50 years ago. Some blame Israel for the exodus, while others point to harassment from West Bank Muslims.A recent Pew study backs up Netanyahu’s claims. The survey found that Christians faced discrimination in more countries in the Middle East and North Africa than any other region in the world.Francis himself has spoken out against discrimination of Christians in the Middle East, telling a group of church officials from Syria Iran and Iraq in 2013 that he was concerned about  “the situation of Christians, who suffer in a particularly severe way the consequences of tensions and conflicts in many parts of the Middle East.”
15:02
Pope to focus on Holy Land Christians for next few hours-After a whirlwind morning of visiting Jerusalem sites and speaking with Israeli leaders, Francis will spend his last half-day in the region concentrated on his own house, starting with a meeting with Eastern Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I on Mount Zion.From there, here will meet with priests and seminarians at the Garden of Gethsemane before heading to Mount Zion.There he will hold a service in the Cenacle, or Upper Room, where Jesus is believed to have held the Last Supper.The Cenacle visit has the highest potential to raise hackles. Jewish activists have protested the visit to the site, which sits above a tomb believed to belong to King David, as a sign of Church plans for control of the spot.While Israel is in negotiations with the Vatican over increased access, officials have insisted they will not damage the status quo by giving it over to the church.From Mount Zion, Francis will go to Mount Scopus, where he will board a helicopter for the airport. A ceremony is planned before he takes off back for Rome.
15:12
Brussels coverage trumps pope in Hebrew media-While Francis’s visit is certainly big news, it is overshadowed in the Hebrew print press Monday by an investigation into a Saturday shooting at a Jewish museum in Brussels, which left four people dead, Marissa Newman reports.While the papers concede that the ongoing Belgian investigation of the deadly shooting spree and the video footage released to the public on Sunday yield more questions than answers, they nonetheless dedicate much of their coverage to the ever-thickening plot.Only Haaretz leads with the papal visit, providing a blow-by-blow account of the pope’s itinerary on Sunday, and his upcoming stops on Monday.In an op-ed for the paper titled “A Palestinian Victory,” Jack Khoury cites the pope’s decision to pray near the security barrier, and fly from Bethlehem to Ben Gurion Airport, as testament to his recognition and support of the Palestinian cause.“The wide-ranging international coverage that accompanied the visit offered a great opportunity for PA spokesmen to get their message across precisely now, at the moment of crisis in the diplomatic process. But more than that, there is no doubt that the pope offered a tailwind to the Palestinians to their public relations campaign they’ve been advancing in past months,” he writes.
15:22
At terror memorial, Netanyahu defends security barrier-The Prime Minister’s Office released a short video of Pope Francis’s visit to the terror victim’s memorial on Mount Herzl earlier today.In it, Netanyahu tells the pope the story of a classmate of one of his sons, a girl blown up “because there was no fence, no wall.”The pope then solemnly speaks out strongly against terrorism.“Our people understand the way of terrorism doesn’t help. The path of terrorism is fundamentally criminal,” he says before noting that he prays for all terror victims.“Please no terrorism anymore,” he says.
Netanyahu then tells him that Israel wants peace.“We have to build a wall against those who teach [violence],” he says, adding that if there was no incitement the walls could come down and “there would be peace.”An official said Netanyahu’s focus on the wall was intended to add context to the pope’s prayer a day earlier at the Bethlehem security barrier, an unplanned stop which was seen as a major PR coup for Palestinians.
15:52
Finding jokes amid the solemnity-The pope’s visit, including visits to some of the most politically and religiously tense sites in the world, has been marked by solemn speeches and odes to peace and cooperation, not exactly stand-up material.But several people watching the pope’s visit have found in it nuggets of comedy.
16:07
How the pope wound up at the terror victims’ memorial-Raphael Ahren has the backstory behind the pope’s visit to the terror victims’ memorial on Mount Herzl Monday morning.According to his report, Israeli officials saw Francis’s stop at the separation barrier in Bethlehem on Sunday as a carefully planned PR stunt by Palestinians, and decided they needed to respond.After some brainstorming, it was Rami Hatan, the director of the Foreign Ministry’s World Religions department, who came up with the idea: Why not ask the pope to visit the memorial for the victims of terrorism, to show him and the entire world why we built the wall in Bethlehem? “The Vatican officials explained to us that the pope didn’t pray against the separation barrier, but he prayed against the situation that forces such a wall to be built,” diplomat Lior Haiat said. “Therefore, we thought we need to show him why we built the wall. It’s obvious that the barrier is a result of something, it is not the reason.”After Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the idea, the Foreign Ministry staff approached the Vatican official in charge of protocol, who immediately agreed.
16:19
Pope greeted at Gethsemane with cheers-As bells peal, Pope Francis arrives at the Church of Gethsemane for a homily with priests and Catholic seminarians.He enters the church to massive applause, ululating and fanfare as penitents reach out to touch the pope.The event is running some 15 minutes late, and many of the people have been waiting for several hours for the pope to arrive.
16:31
Pope prays at Gethsemane-Francis kneels before an altar in prayer before being helped to his feet (and losing his zuchetto, or head covering) and being seated.The Church of All Nations is built next to the garden where Jesus is said to have visited the night before his Crucifixion, at the foot of the Mount of Olives.The site today holds an olive grove (Gethsemane or Gat Shemanim, which means oil press in Hebrew),  a grotto venerated as holy, and the Church of All Nations, with a colorful mural on its front identifiable from far away.
16:38
Francis recalls agony of Jesus at church-The pope now gets up to speak at the church, remarking that Jesus was at the spot they stand at now.In a nod to the audience, the speech is most of all religious in nature, not touching on current events.“We dread to approach what Jesus went through at that hour,” he says recalling the agony of the crucifixion.He then begins urging Christians not to escape a call to action, like those who abandoned Jesus did.
16:47
Remain strong despite hardships, pope tells J’lem Christians-Francis concludes his remarks with a nod to hardships faced by the area’s Christians, urging them to stay strong.“I salute and greet all the Christians of Jerusalem, well aware of their difficulties,” the pope says.“Let us imitate the Virgin Mary and St. John and stand by all those crosses where Jesus continues to be crucified,” he says.
16:50
Cheers, and Francis leaves-Cheering and music once again as Francis leaves the church. He will next travel to Mount Zion, where he will hold a mass at the Cenacle.
16:58
Pope plants ‘Palestinian tree’ at Garden of Gethsemane-Francis walks to Garden of Gethsemane, where he plants an olive tree, echoing a similar act by his predecessor Paul VI in 1964.The tree planted by Paul has become a pilgrimage site for Christians.“This tree is a symbol of peace, and we all hope that the pontiff’s visit will bring forth the fruit of peace,” Fr. José Benito Choque, a Franciscan of the Custody of the Holy Land who is responsible for the sanctuary, said according to Terrasanta.net. “The tree that the pope will plant is a gift from the churches of the Holy Land. It is a Palestinian tree.”After planting the tree, Francis gets into his car for the short drive to Mount Zion.
17:16
PM’s bid to throw cold water on security wall visit-As Francis’s trip to Israel winds down, Israeli media is noting that his meeting with Netanyahu at the Notre Dame Center just after noon seems to have become the trip’s keystone, at least from official Israel’s perspective.At that meeting, Netanyahu explained Israel’s need for the security barrier, trying to pour cold water on Francis’s visit to the wall in Bethlehem a day earlier.“When incitement and terror against Israel stops, there won’t be the need for the security fence, which has saved thousands of lives,” Netanyahu told the pope during the meeting.“We hope that your call for tolerance and coexistence and an end for incitement, anti-Semitism and terror, will be accepted,” he said.Netanyahu also said that Israel’s Christian population has quadrupled since the country’s founding in 1948 and lauded Israel’s treatment of its Christian population.“We guard the rights of Christians in Israel. That unfortunately does not exist in many places in the Middle East. Even Bethlehem, where your holiness visited, Jesus’ birthplace, has become… a Muslim city,” Netanyahu said.Hana Bendcowsky, an expert in Jewish-Christian relations, said Netanyahu’s figures were somewhat misleading. She said the Christian population’s growth is mostly due to Israel’s granting residency to about 10,000 Palestinian Christians when it captured East Jerusalem in 1967, and some 30,000 Christians who immigrated to Israel from the former Soviet Union because of Jewish family ties. These Soviet immigrants have generally been absorbed into the Jewish majority.
17:24
Francis holds mass on Mount Zion-Pope Francis is now at the Cenacle, or upper room, on Mount Zion, holding mass.Before reading the liturgy, Francis walks a censer filled with incense around the room, believed to be the site of the Last Supper.
17:36
Mass site at center of tensions-The pope has donned his iconic hat for the occasion of the mass, an intimate affair that has the potential to become a flashpoint of Vatican-Jewish tensions.The room is not often used for Christian rites, in a bid by Israel to keep the delicate status quo of the site.The church is talks with Israel for increased rights to hold services there, but some ultra-Orthodox and Jewish nationalists have lobbied against any changes to the site, which is also said to hold the tomb of King David.Israeli and Vatican officials have insisted that talks are not over ceding the building to the church, but rumors to that effect have persisted, further exacerbating tensions.Ahead of the pope’s visit, police issued orders against a number of Jewish ultra-nationalists to stay away from parts of Jerusalem, in a bid to keep them from disturbing the pope’s visit.
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Francis speaks of importance of Upper Room-Francis begins his homily to the small crowd of clerics, speaking of the importance of the Upper Room.-“All the saints drew from this source,” he says.He then speaks about the openness of the “new family” of Christianity.“From here the church goes forth, compelled by the life giving spirit,” he concludes.
18:05
Peres to meet with Eastern church leader Bartholomew I-The pope may get the headlines, but he’s not the only Christian bigwig in town. Bartholomew I, the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church who resides in Istanbul, is also in Jerusalem, where he met with Francis in Sunday.Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I, center, prays at the Church of the Nativity, believed to be the birth place of Jesus Christ, on May 24, 2014 in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. (photo credit: AFP/ MUSA AL SHAER) On Monday morning, Bartholomew will powwow with President Shimon Peres. The two will discuss the importance of ties between Israel and the Orthodox church and expanding ties between Israel and the Greek Orthodox Church, according to a statement from the President’s Residence.
18:26
Scuffle between police, Christians caught on tape-Security around the pope’s visit has been notoriously tight in Jerusalem, but problems haven’t only centered around traffic.A video, posted online by Palestinian outlet Ehna TV Monday, shows a group of people waving Vatican flags outside the Old City clashing with police, who are working to close the road.The TV station claims the incident took place Monday afternoon, but police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld tells The Times of Israel that the only incident of that type occurred Sunday afternoon.According to Ehna, the group was composed of Christians awaiting the pope’s visit.In the video two people can be seen being detained. However Rosenfeld says they were only removed from the area. He says the gathering took place without a permit.“There were a few scuffles,” he says.There were no altercations or arrests related to the pope’s visit on Monday, Rosenfeld says.
18:33
Pope ends mass, heads to Mount Scopus-In the Cenacle, the pope’s mass comes to a close, essentially marking the end of Francis’s visit to Israel.From Mount Zion, the pontiff will travel by car to Mount Scopus, where a waiting helicopter will take him to the airport for a goodbye ceremony before his flight home to the Vatican.
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Francis greets faithful at Cenacle before ending trip-Scratch that last post. The mass has ended but Pope Francis returns to the Cenacle, now back in white robes, to shake hands with priests, nuns, prelates and others.Each one takes turns thanking the pope for visiting, and he is treated to a round of applause.Francis seems to be in a jolly mood, joking with people as he makes his way down a line, giving the event an intimate feel.
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Looking back at pope’s jam-packed three-day trip-As the visit comes to a close, a look back at some of the more memorable moments from Francis’s journey to the region:
• In Jordan, the pope kicks off his trip Saturday by issuing a scathing rebuke to arms dealers. “We all want peace, but looking at the tragedy of war, looking at the wounded, seeing so many people who left their homeland who were forced to go away, I ask, ‘Who sells weapons to these people to make war?’” he asked. “This is the root of evil, the hatred, the love of money.”

• On Sunday morning, Francis flies by helicopter to Bethlehem, where he become the first pontiff to visit the Palestinian Authority before Israel.

• The pope then meets with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He calls the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians “unacceptable” and urges both sides to make sacrifices to reach peace.

• After meeting Abbas, Francis makes what will likely be remembered as his most memorable stop, an unplanned detour to the security barrier in Bethlehem, where he bows his head amid anti-Israel graffiti and says a prayer for there to be no need for the wall. He also refers to the “State of Palestine,” in historic move.

• The pope then celebrates mass at Manger Square, making a plea for an end to exploitation of children amid a throng of cheering Christians.

• On Sunday afternoon, Francis takes a helicopter to Israel’s Ben-Gurion airport, where he is greeted by a gaggle of top government officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres. “Even if peace calls for sacrifices, the sacrifices of peace are preferable to the threat of war,” Peres says. Francis says “there is no other way” but to restart peace talks aiming for a two-state solution to the conflict, and also condemns terror attack at Belgium Jewish Museum.

• Francis meets with Eastern counterpart Bartholomew I at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, fulfilling the official reason for his visit. The two call for Christian unity.

• On Monday, pope begins whirlwind tour of Jerusalem with trip to Temple Mount, where he makes calls for interfaith cooperation. “May no one abuse the name of God through violence,” he says.

• Pope then visits Western Wall, placing a note with “Our Father” prayer in Spanish in a crack.

• From Old City Francis travels to lay a wreath on grave of Theodor Herzl. While there, he agrees to add unscheduled stop at terror victims’ memorial, at Netanyahu’s behest. While visiting the site, pontiff is told that the reason for the security barrier is to prevent terror attacks. Pope makes plea for end to terror.

• Francis then visits Yad Vashem, where he kisses the hands of six survivors and calls Holocaust greatest evil known to humanity.

• Meeting with Israel’s chief rabbis, Francis called Jews the “older brothers” of Christians.

• At a Presidents’ Residence ceremony, fatigued-looking pope holds private meeting with Peres and is regaled by choir.

• In meeting with Netanyahu, prime minister once again defends security barrier to pope, telling him that “when incitement and terror against Israel stops, there won’t be the need for the security fence, which has saved thousands of lives.”

• Francis then prays with priests and seminarians at Church of Gethsemane, before planting “tree of peace,” echoing move by Paul VI 50 years earlier.

• After mass at Cenacle on Mount Zion, pope makes way to airport for farewell ceremony.
19:17
Farewell ceremony pushed forward-The pope was originally scheduled to leave Israel after a farewell ceremony at 8 p.m., but the goodbye has been moved up to 7:30, after things apparently went quicker than expected. More unplanned stops next time would keep that from happening.
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Yad Vashem: Pope’s visit has special significance-In a statement, Yad Vashem notes that it is pleased with the visit of Pope Francis, expressing hope that it will contribute to Holocaust awareness.“Yad Vashem attributes great importance and special significance to the visit of Pope Francis, which we hope will foster greater Holocaust awareness around the world,” the statement reads. “His words at Yad Vashem, together with his speech on arrival in Israel, express shame and pain, regarding the nadir that humankind reached with the crimes of the Shoah.”
19:33
Red carpet and jet await pope at airport-At Ben-Gurion airport, the red carpet is rolled out in front of an El Al jet waiting to take the pope back to Rome.And unlike the case when he arrived by helicopter, this time the carpet is aligned with the pope’s conveyance.
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Pope’s helicopter nears airport-The large delegation of officials and journalists that accompanied the pope to Israel now boards the jumbo jet, as the pope’s helicopter from Jerusalem prepares to touch down on the tarmac at Ben-Gurion.
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Pope arrives at airport.-Netanyahu and Peres now arrive on the tarmac, as the pope drives up to the red carpet for the farewell ceremony.He then maes his way to the plane, flanked by Netanyahu and Peres, who joke with him.
19:58
Pope says goodbye to Israeli officials-Peres and Netanyahu greet a group of church dignitaries, as Francis awkwardly looks on.The pope then bids farewell to a group of Israeli officials, shaking their hands one by one.
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Netanyahu to pope: ‘We’ll pray for you, you pray for us’--As they make their way to the plane, Netanyahu and Francis get into a heated conversation while Peres shuffles alongside them.
They stop in front of the airplane for photos.Francis then shakes Peres’s hands, and then Netanyahu’s, who tells him: “We’ll pray for you, you pray for us.”With that the pope begins a solid ascent of the stairs up to the plane. before waving goodbye.
20:09
Pope on plane as visit ends-A shot of Pope Francis on the plane just before it leaves Israel. He appears to be reading a newspaper.This marks the end of our liveblog coverage of Pope Francis’s trip to Israel and the region. We thank you for tuning in.