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December 19, 2013
Pope Francis is to visit Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank May 25-26 according to media reports from Israel.
The Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot reported that Israeli authorities are unhappy with the brevity of the 48-hour visit and the fact that the prelate will not celebrate Mass in Israel, but in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
The Vatican’s spokesman, Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi declined not comment on travel plans, according to the AFP, saying that it was up to the pope to decide when to make such plans and announcements.