As reported by the Italian news agency SIR on July 23, Archbishop Pietro Sambi told an audience in Rimini, Italy, "The Pope will travel to the Holy Land in the spring of next year." Archbishop Sambi, the papal nuncio to Israel, was essentially confirming what Israeli government officials have already announced: that a papal visit is being planned for March 2000.

Although the Holy Father has repeatedly indicated his desire to visit the Holy Land, the Vatican has never confirmed the reports from Israel about the scheduling of the papal visit.

However, while he did confirm the plans, Archbishop Sambi cautioned that obstacles still remain in the way of the trip. He stressed that the Pope wishes to make his voyage "a true spiritual pilgrimage," and "a strong stimulant to encourage peace." But the Holy Father is insistent that the trip should not be used for political purposes.

Archbishop Sambi underlined the same theme of spiritual renewal for the Jubilee Year, saying that the millennium should be an opportunity for "ecumenical meeting among all the brothers of the different churches that believe in Christ," and "dialogue among the three monotheistic religions." The papal legate also sees the Jubilee Year as a time when Christians from throughout the world should become better acquainted with their fellow Christians who remain in the Holy Land. These remaining Christians, he said, are "few in number, but precious" to the Christian community because they "maintain the living faith in the places connected to our redemption." He expressed regrets that, to date, Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land have had very few opportunities to come in contact with the Christians who live there. He suggested the Catholic pilgrims might visit a parish in Jerusalem, and make an effort to speak with the people there.