The Vatican has described this trip as a "personal pilgrimage". Millions of people around the world will be watching the Pope visit many of Christianity's most famous holy sites including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Garden of Gethesamene, Kidron Valley, Church of the Nativity, Church of the Annunciation and the Mt of Precipice in Nazareth. Last week, Travelujah asked the Nuncio, H.E. Archbishop Antonio Franco what specific holy site did the Pope look most forward to seeing on his trip to Israel. Replied the Nuncio "the faces of all the people, that is his favorite site."

Despite all the discussion over where the Pope's itinerary will take him, one thing is for sure - this Pope "wants to see his children", according to Father Eunam Kelley. Despite all the discussion and curiousity regarding why this Papal visit was planned under short notice, if there is one objective that the Vatican has in planning this trip, it is to strengthen the Christian community both in Jordan, the Palestinian Territories and in Israel. by visiting his "children" and seeing the people, Pope Benedict XVI is hoping to instill hope and worldwide attention on this shrinking community of Christians.

The Israeli tourism industry is hoping that this upcoming visit will encourage Catholic tourism to Israel in much greater numbers. to that end, they've been lobbying the vatican in order to get the Pope to publically proclaim that all Christians should visit the Holy Land. Whether he does or doesn't the question is will his actions speak louder than words? Perhaps. As millions of people watch Pope Benedict step off Royal Jordanian Airlines tomorrow, the epic visit to Israel will begin to unfold. When asked why should Christians come to the Holy Land, Rafi Ben Hur, senior deputy tourism minister answered "Here, its a local call to God".