Statements by Apostolic Nuncio in Israel
VATICAN CITY, MAR 20 (ZENIT.org).- Vatican diplomacy is doing everything possible to «emphasize the spiritual value» of the Pope's visit to the Holy Land, «tenaciously 'depoliticizing' it,» Archbishop Pietro Sambi, said to the Vatican agency «Fides.» The Archbishop is Apostolic Nuncio in Israel.
«It is a truly historic visit. And the people, both Jews and Muslims, realize it. It is the Pope's personality that gives this dimension to the event. The world today needs leaders, credible leaders. The only leader who speaks to man, who has moral credit in the world, is John Paul II,» stated the Nuncio.
Archbishop Sambi acknowledged that it is «obvious» that all ethnic, political, and religious groups will try to manipulate the Pope's visit. But, at the same time, he revealed that the Vatican has made a great effort so that the visit will not be analyzed from the political point of view. Thus, «in the interest of all, a whole series of human values will result, spiritual, Christian, moral, of civilization that the Pope will mention. The Holy Land was chosen by God as the 'Land of the Message'; here, God revealed himself to man. He has revealed man's vocation, his mission in life. With the Pope's visit, the Holy Land will once again be the 'Land of the Message' for men and women at the beginning of the Third Millennium.»
Zenit - The World Seen From Rome