Pope Francis will make his first trip to the Holy Land as pontiff at the end of May this year. He made the announcement earlier today, during his weekly Sunday blessing in the Vatican City.
The trip will include visits to Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Jordanian capital, Amman and will take place between May 24 to May 26.
Pope Francis was invited to make the trip last year by both Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Israeli president Shimon Peres invited him in April, while Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas extended an invitation in October, saying the Pope would “walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.”
"In the climate of joy typical of this Christmas period, I would like to announce that from 24 to 26 May, God willing, I will carry out a pilgrimage to the Holy Land," the Pope told the crowds gathered for this morning’s service.
Pope Francis was invited to visit the Holy Land by Israeli president Shimon Peres in April, and by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, who met him in October, saying he would "walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ".
