Pope Francis will visit Israel for the first time in May, CNN reported Thursday. A senior unnamed Israeli source quoted by CNN said that the papal visit has been tentatively set for May 25-26. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to the Vatican next week and meet with Pope Francis. He will extend an official invitation to the pontiff to visit the Holy Land. The Prime Minister's Office said that the prime minister will fly to the Vatican on Dec. 1 for a two-day visit that will include his first meeting with the pope, who was instated in mid-March. President Shimon Peres met the head of the Catholic Church in April. Should the visit take place, Pope Francis will be the fourth pontiff to visit Israel: Pope Paul VI was the first leader of the Catholic Church to visit Israel in 1964; Pope John Paul II visited Israel in 2000 and Pope Benedict XVI visited Israel in 2009. Israel and the Vatican established diplomatic relations in 1993.
Report: Pope Francis to visit Israel in May
Head of the Catholic Church is likely to visit Israel in late May • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to travel to the Vatican next week, extend official invitation to pontiff • Francis will be fourth pope to visit Israel.
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