Papal visit 2014

Pope Francis during an unplanned stop at the separation fence on the way to Bethlehem. - credit: Reuters

How the Pope Put Israel to Shame

Instead of seeing us as an inspiration, the world takes pity on us, sending peace envoys and religious leaders to do our work.

Pope Francis and President Shimon Peres. - credit: AP

Pope's Prayer With Israeli, Palestinian Presidents Slated for June 8

The pope extended an invite to Peres and Abbas to pray for peace with him at the Vatican when he was on his official visit to the Holy Land.

Pope Francis at the Western Wall. May 26, 2014. - credit: Kobi Gideon/GPO/Flash90

The Note Pope Francis Placed in the Kotel

Western Wall Heritage Foundation releases photo of the note Pope Francis placed in Kotel.

Lebanese Christian Leader Gives Hope to Displaced Arab Villagers in Israel

Patriarch Bechara Rai celebrates Mass in Bir’im, a Christian village uprooted in 1951, and with former SLA soldiers.

Pope Francis at a memorial to Israeli victims of terrorism on Mount Herzl. - credit: Avi Ohayon/GPO

Everyone in Washington Talks Peace, but the Pope Talks Justice

If Israel wants future popes to lay wreaths at Herzl’s grave, it must recommit itself to the liberal ideals in which Zionism's founder believed.

This ancient mosaic of Jesus Christ is from Turkey, where Aramaic was the common language at the time of his life.

FYI, Netanyahu What Language Did Jesus Speak?

Aramaic was the lingua franca in the Holy Land, not Hebrew or Arabic.

Argentinean Rabbi Abraham Skorka is good friends with Pope Francis. - credit: AP/ Tina Fineberg

Rabbi Who Accompanied Pope Says Jews Too Focused on Past Tragedies

Rabbi Avraham Skorka, longtime friend of Pope Francis, says Jewish leaders should look beyond the past and accept offers of closer dialogue with the Church.

Haaretz Daily Cartoon - 27/5/2014

Pope Francis meets Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem May 26, 2014. - credit: Reuters

Pope, Netanyahu Spar Over Jesus' Native Language

Hebrew or Aramaic? Pope corrects Israeli prime minister, but Israeli linguistic says both had a point.

Police officer photographs site where book was burned by anonymous arsonist, Dormition Abbey, May 26, 2014 - credit: Emil Salman

Book Burned at Jerusalem Church After Pope Mass

Man burns visitors' book at Dormition Abbey minutes after pontiff leaves.

Pope Francis waves from his plane as he departs Ben Gurion Airport, May 26, 2014. - credit: Reuters

Pope Francis Throws Farewell Curveball: Peace Prayer Summit in Rome

Unlike predecessors, pope didn’t avoid forays into politics on historic three-day visit.

Pope Leaves Holy Land After Hectic Three-day Tour

Pontiff visited the Temple Mount, Western Wall and Yad Vashem; promised to pray for peace in the region.

Pope Francis (C) walks with Israeli President Shimon Peres (center L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd R) during a ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance at the Yad Vashem. - credit: Reuters

Pope at Yad Vashem: Never Again, Lord, Never Again!

Rather than mentioning Jews - or Nazis, Germans, concentration camps or World War II - Pope Francis takes more global and theological approach to the Holocaust.

Lebanese Maronite patriarch Beshara al-Rahi takes part in an open-air mass led by the Pope Francis on May 25, 2014. - credit: AFP

Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Visits Israel, First Since 1948

Patriarch Bechara Rai join Pope Francis for Mass at Jerusalem's Cenacle.

Pope Francis prays at Israel's separation barrier on his way to a mass in Manger Square next to the Church of the Nativity, West Bank city of Bethlehem on Sunday, May 25, 2014. - credit: AP

Papal Propaganda Poker: I’ll See Your Grave and Raise You a Wall

The Israelis were a nose ahead in the political graphics war until they handed the Palestinians a propaganda gift in the shape of the separation barrier.

Peres with Pope Francis during a welcoming ceremony at Ben Gurion international airport. May 25, 2014 - credit: Reuters

Pope Urges Leaders 'To Leave No Stone Unturned' in Quest for Two-state Solution

Pope Francis invites Israeli, Palestinian presidents to travel to the Vatican.

Peres, Pope Francis and Netanyahu at Ben-Gurion Airport, May 25, 2014. - credit: Haim Tzach, GPO

Pope Francis Calls for Peace in First Visit to Israel

Pope calls on Israelis and Palestinians to 'leave no stone unturned' in quest for peace.

Room of the Cenacle - credit: Wikimedia Commons

Police Arrest 26 After Violence Flares at King David’s Tomb Protest in Jerusalem

Some 150 right-wing activists gathered at flash-point site to protest Mideast visit by Pope Francis.

Pope Francis waves from the top of the stairs leading to the plane as he leaves to his trip to the holy land from Rome, May 24, 2014 . - credit: AFP

Why Does the Pope Wear a Yarmulke?

Is the Pope wearing a Kippah, or is it the Jews who are wearing zucchetti?

Pope Francis prays at Israel's separation barrier on his way to a mass in Bethlehem's Manger Square, May 25, 2014. - credit: Reuters

Pope Francis Makes Unexpected Detour to West Bank Separation Barrier

The pope rested his forehead on the wall and prayed silently surrounded by 'Free Palestine' and 'Bethlehem look like Warsaw Ghetto' graffiti.

Previous papal visit: Pope Benedict XVI, center, with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, second left, in Bethlehem, May 13, 2009. - credit: AP

What the Pope Won’t See in Bethlehem

Some of the off-the-beaten-track tourist attractions around Jesus’s birthplace

Argentinean flags on a villa in Fassouta. - credit: Gil Eliyahu

For Galilee Catholics, Soccer Scores Higher Than the Pope's Visit

The upcoming World Cup is more likely to be the subject of conversation in two unique Arab towns than this weekend’s visit to Israel by the pope

Pope Francis is welcomed by Jordan's Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad upon his arrival at Queen Alia International airport in Amman May 24, 2014. - credit: Reuters

Pope Francis Arrives in Jordan for Mideast Trip

Pope kicks off three-day trip to the Middle East. Next stop: Israel and Palestinian Authority.

Pope John Paul II waves to the crowds as he arrives for a holy mass in Nazareth. March 25, 2000. - credit: Reuters

Pope's Visit: Great Expectations, Great Disappointment?

Israel's national and Jewish sites will get little facetime during Pope Francis' whirlwind visit - but the government is praying that the photo ops in Bethlehem don't lead to major political fallout.

Papal logo on El Al plane - credit: Sivan Frej

El Al Unveils Papal Airplane

Boeing 777 flying Pope out of Israel upon completion of upcoming Holy Land visit branded with the Vatican's official logo.

Virgin Mary March in Haifa in 2010. - credit: Tomer Neuberg

Holy Land Christians Disappointed by Pope's Visit

Catholics put hope in Pope Francis' visit, but dreamed of more face time with the pontiff.

It would better be to lower expectations ahead of next week's Mideast visit by Pope Francis. - credit: AFP

A Wholly Insignificant Papal Visit to the Holy Land

The pope’s visit to Israel, Jordan and the PA might be important, but Francis just wants it all to be over.

An Israeli Arab Christian holds a poster depicting Pope Francis during a procession in the northern city of Haifa May 11, 2014. - credit: Reuters

Israel Issues Restraining Orders Against Jewish Youths Ahead of Pope Visit

Move aims at preempting possible provocations during Pope Francis' upcoming two-day visit.

Pope Francis speaks at the Vatican. - credit: AFP

Pope Francis Says Holy Land Trip Is 'Strictly Religious'

The pontiff sought to temper expectations for his trip during his weekly Wednesday general audience.