Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
The principal event in the month of May was the Holy Father's pilgrimage to the Holy Land 8- 15, during which Benedict XVI visited Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories. We mention among his many engagements, a Meeting with Muslim religious leaders in Amman, a Meeting with organisers of interreligious dialogue, a visit to the Wailing Wall and the Regina Cæli prayer in the Upper Room, the celebration of Vespers at the Shrine of the Annunciation in Nazareth and a visit to Holy Sepulchre Basilica in Jerusalem.
Sunday 3 May, World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the Holy Father ordained 19 new priests for his diocese of Rome.
Sunday 24 Benedict XVI made a pastoral visit to Cassino and Montecassino. On the 26 he went to his Cathedral, San Giovanni in Laterano, to open the annual meeting of the diocese of Rome, this year on the theme: " Ecclesial membership and pastoral co-responsibility". Saturday 30 at the end of a torchlight Rosary procession through the Vatican Gardens to conclude the month of May the Holy Father addressed the participants. On 31, Solemnity of Pentecost, Benedict XVI presided Mass in St Peter's Basilica. We mention among the audiences granted by the Holy Father this month: 2 May, members of the Papal Foundation; 4 May, the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences; 7 May, the Papal Swiss Guard; 18 May, Bishops of Peru on ad limina visit; 23 May, Pontifical Diplomatic Academy; 28 May, general assembly of the Italian Bishops' Conference; 30 May, children of the Pontifical Mission Society of Holy Childhood. Among the Holy Father's Messages we mention two, one of the occasion of the Annual General Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies and the other for the 4th centenary of the death of the great missionary Fr. Matteo Ricci, S. J.
