First-Ever Meeting Between Tourism Minister and Latin Patriarch

Israel's Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau held an unprecedented meeting on Monday with His Beatitude Fouad Twal, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, to discuss enhanced cooperation regarding pilgrimage to the Israel.

"This meeting heralds 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," Landau said.

Tens of thousands of Catholics from around the world will celebrate the Eucharist at Mount Precipice in Nazareth next month, led by the Latin Patriarch.

“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, said the Latin Patriarch.