(Communicated by the Ministry of Tourism)

In a first meeting of its kind, the Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau this morning (14 October 2013) met with His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, to discuss enhanced cooperation regarding pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

As part of the activities associated with the Year of Faith, which Pope Benedict XVI opened in Rome on 11 October 2012 and will end on 24 November 2013, tens of thousands of Catholic faithful from the region and countries including Italy, Brazil and Spain will celebrate the Eucharist at Mount Precipice in Nazareth on Sunday, 17 November, led by the Latin Patriarch.

The Tourism Minister expressed his hope that the meeting would herald the "beginning of enhanced and prolonged cooperation between the ministry and the Catholic Church. Pilgrimage serves as a bridge for peace, bringing together peoples and cultures from around the world."

The Latin Patriarch echoed the sentiments of the minister, speaking of a "spirit of authentic cooperation and strong communication. We share both a mutual interest in providing hospitality and services for pilgrims and the goal that these pilgrims will return home as new ambassadors for the Holy Land."

The Latin Patriarch was accompanied by senior Patriarchate officials. Nazareth Mayor Ramiz Jaraisy also attended the meeting, along with representatives of the Tourism Ministry.