Vatican denies rumors that papal trip to Israel is in jeopardy
March 07, 2014
The Vatican moved quickly on March 7 to counter rumors that a visit to Israel by Pope Francis might be cancelled because of a strike by workers in that country’s foreign ministry.
Plans for the papal trip, to take place in May, are still moving forward, Vatican officials said. Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, allowed that a lengthy strike could “create difficulties,” but he told reporters that “there is nothing further as far as we are concerned.”
Meeting with reporters later in the day at an event in Rome, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State, said: "I think everything will go ahead as planned: the visit will go ahead and according to the set schedule." He said that the strike caused some "apprehensions" but no changes in plans.
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Further information:
- Vatican denies reports Pope cancels visit to Israel in May (Jerusalem Post)
- Parolin confirms Francis will visit Israel and calls for dialogue in Ukraine (Vatican Insider)
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