hand and heart

The recent post office troubles have impacted our regular fundraising efforts. Please consider supporting the Register and Catholic journalism by using one of the methods below:

  • Donate online
  • Donate by e-transfer to accounting@catholicregister.org
  • Donate by telephone: 416-934-3410 ext. 406 or toll-free 1-855-441-4077 ext. 406
Zuhair Espanioli from Nazareth in Israel was among the early arrivals at Manger Square to greet the pope. Zuhair has been present for every papal visit to the Holy Land, including Pope Paul VI when he was 14 years old.
Zuhair Espanioli from Nazareth in Israel was among the early arrivals at Manger Square to greet the pope. Zuhair has been present for every papal visit to the Holy Land, including Pope Paul VI when he was 14 years old. Photo by Michael Swan.

Crowds gather early in anticipation of Pope appearance

By 
  • May 24, 2014

BETHLEHEM - The faithful began arriving in Manger Square four hours in advance of Pope Francis' appearance, waving flags, shaking hands, buzzing with excitement. With three hours to go the people are singing hymns.

The crowd is young and there's a World Youth Day atmosphere in sections. Indeed there was a 2002 World Youth Day backpack from Toronto among the growing flock.

Among the older, generation 64-year-old grandfather and businessman Zuhair Espaniola from Nazareth was not going to let this opportunity pass.

Espaniola remembers Pope Paul VI's visit in 1964, when he was 14 years old. Since then he's been present to greet Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. The difference this time is that the pope won't go to Nazareth, so Espaniola came here.

The Israeli Arab is particularly excited about this pope.

"This one is our religion," he said in his third language. "The most important thing is that we love, love, love and forgive."

Espaniola is most impressed that Pope Francis will have lunch in Bethlehem with poor families from the refugee camps in the region.

"He doesn't look for the very rich people," he said.

Espaniola fully expects the pope to address peace and the situation of Palestinians.

Israel will have to give up land to get peace, he said.

Security is tight on the square with police, and paramilitaries in fatigues sprinkled through the crowd and ringing the square on rooftops. There were 9,000 tickets distributed for the Mass. Large blocks of pilgrims are in the crowd from the Philippines and Sri Lanka. One very large Polish flag is being carried around the perimeter.

This is the second day and the second Mass of the pope's trip to meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and sign a document pledging friendship between Catholics and Orthodox.

Yesterday Pope Francis celebrated Mass in a stadium in Amman, Jordan, while Patriarch Bartholomew visited Bethlehem.

Bartholomew's visit to the Church of the Nativity included a special message to young Palestinians.

"You, the youth of Bethlehem, are the hope and the future of your homeland," said the Patriarch. "Remain faithful to your historical mission and preserve unextinguished the flame of our Orthodox faith in this land, where the Lord initiated His work of salvation for the whole world. Your presence here as Orthodox Christians is of immense importance. Continue your work with the same passion. May God be with you!"

Tagged under:

Related items

More in this category: « Pope invites Israel, Palestine leaders to Vatican In Bethlehem, near site of Christ's birth, pope speaks out for children »

Please support The Catholic Register

Unlike many media companies, The Catholic Register has never charged readers for access to the news and information on our website. We want to keep our award-winning journalism as widely available as possible. But we need your help.

For more than 125 years, The Register has been a trusted source of faith-based journalism. By making even a small donation you help ensure our future as an important voice in the Catholic Church. If you support the mission of Catholic journalism, please donate today. Thank you.

DONATE