Pavebesøk i det stille til stedet for Kristi dåp

JERUSALEM (CWNews.com) - Before reaching Bethlehem on March 22 to celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Nativity, Pope John Paul II made a short, quiet trip to the place near Jericho that is traditionally believed to be the site of Christ's baptism.

The Pope's visit-- which was deliberately downplayed, because of the intense emotions surrounding the ancient town of Jericho-- allowed just enough time for the Holy Father to comment on the significance of Baptism. Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the apostolic nuncio in the Holy Land and one of the few people to accompany the Pontiff on his visit, described a «very simple, but powerfully moving» ceremony, which was an important part of the Pope's personal pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

In his prayers and remarks at the Jordan River site, the Pope also spoke of Jericho, referring to the ancient city as «a flourishing oasis in the desert.» He prayed that «that city, so rich in memories, will also be rich in promise for the future.»

One day earlier, the Pontiff had visited another site, on the Jordanian side of the river, which is also claimed to be the spot where Jesus was baptized. The Pope declined to become involved in the argument over which site has a stronger claim.

Catholic World News Service - Vatican Update