Palestinian leader Abbas to receive Pope on May 25

AL-QUDS

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will receive Pope Francis of the Vatican on May 25 as part of the pontiff's visit to the holy lands.

"The pope will arrive in Bethlehem on May 25," Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem told Anadolu Agency on Monday.

"The main objective of this visit [to the holy lands] is to commemorate the historic meeting between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras, which took place 50 years ago on the same day [May 25]," he added.

Abbas and a number of Palestinian officials will welcome the pontiff at the presidential headquarters in Bethlehem.

Pope Francis will deliver also a message to the world in the presence of the Palestinian officials before heading to the Nativity Church for Divine Liturgy service.

"Pope Francis is also expected to have lunch with some Palestinian families and meet children from Aida and Dheisha refugee camps," the Palestinian Authority's media department said in e-mail to AA Monday.

Pope Francis will also visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Al-Quds [occupied East Jerusalem].

The pontiff is expected to meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

englishnews@aa.com.tr