Pope Francis announced Sunday that he would travel to Israel, the West Bank and Jordan on May 24-26.
The tour will be the Pope's first visit to the area as Pontiff. He announced the trip to thousands of people in St. Peter's Square during his Sunday address.
Max Rossi / Reuters
The trip to Amman, Jerusalem and Bethlehem will mark the 50th anniversary of a landmark trip there by Pope Paul VI in 1964.
Giampiero Sposito / Reuters
He will visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in East Jerusalem, where Jesus is said to buried.
The church is in an area disputed by Palestinians and Israelis. The Pope has made many appeals for peace since his election last year.
GALI TIBBON/AFP / Getty Images
