Report by Wilson D’Souza Kulshekar (Israel)
Pics: Roshan D’Souza Taccode and Roshan Martis (Israel)

Tel Aviv/ Israel, May 17: Pope Benedict XVI was on his visit to Israel. He arrived here at 11.00 am on Monday May11 and began his first day in Israel with visits to the Temple Mount, Western Wall. He has already paid his visit to Jerusalem, Bethlehem and many more holy places and has offered the Eucharistic Celebration on Tuesday May 12, 2009 in Jerusalem at Gethsemane popularly known as the Olive Gardens. Over 5,000 people were present on this occasion.

Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday May 14 visited Nazareth. A tight security checking was arranged which began in the early hours at 6.30am Pope Benedict XVI arrived at Nazareth at 9.45 and the Eucharistic celebration began at 10.00 am.

The Israel Government here has well organized for the hospitality services, security and other amenities free of cost and has made this day a memorable one in the history of Israel. Free transportation facility was provided for the crowd from Nazareth to Mount of the Precipice, near Nazareth where the Holy Mass was offered by Pope.

Along with the people of Israel, around 45,000 people from all over the world and especially Indian expatriates of Mangalore origin, gathered here to welcome the Pope and witnessed this grand event. People of the different age group ranging from the infant to the old have come here to get the blessings of Pope Benedict XVI on them and their families.