ASIA/HOLY LAND - “Our hope is already a certainty: this Pope will build bridges and a be prophet of peace for the Holy Land” Franciscan Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Holy Land Custodian told Fides

Jerusalem (Fides Service) - “It is no longer a hope, it is a certainty: Pope Benedict XVI will be a builder of bridges and prophet of peace for the Holy Land” Franciscan Father di Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Holy Land Custodian told Fides. “All of a sudden the bells of all the different Christian churches, Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox rang in sign of jubilation”, the priest told Fides. “I was not in the house and when I heard the bells I realised something special had happened, the new Pope had been elected. We are very happy, the entire Christian community here is rejoicing. There is however some apprehension in Jewish circles. Some media operators asked me if a German Pope might change the Holy See’s attitude to Israel. I dispelled their fears: Pope Ratzinger will work in continuity with his predecessor, he too will be a builder of peace. For my part I am certain Benedict 16th will continue to show concern and closeness on behalf of the Church and the Holy See towards the Holy Land. I know he will speak words of peace and build bridges of reconciliation”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 19/4/2005 righe 15 parole 154)