Pilgrimage to Holy Land to Resume: Fr. Francesco Yelp
Pilgrimages to the Holy Land are Crucial for Local Communities, Franciscan Custodian Says
Resuming Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land, including Jerusalem, is essential to overcoming fear adn supporting the local community, according to Father Francesco Ielpo, the Franciscan Custodian of the Holy Land. He addressed a group of thirty priests,diocesan workers,and journalists from Rome at the Franciscan Church Center in Jerusalem on January 7th.
Father Ielpo,a Capuchin priest responsible for protecting Catholic Church sites in the Holy Land,emphasized the economic importance of pilgrimages. He stated that these visits provide income for local communities, including christians.
“Words alone are not enough to overcome fear; we need the witness and presence of people,” father ielpo said.
He added that the presence of Christian visitors offers hope and encourages others to visit the holy sites. The Custodian also noted that the local community will receive financial assistance alongside the resumption of pilgrimages.