Jerusalem (AsiaNews) – This morning at 9.00 a.m. Cardinal Moussa Daoud, Patriarch Emeritus of Syrian Catholics and Prefect of the Congregation of Eastern Churches, began his official visit to the Holy Land. "At such a difficult time for Catholics here in the Holy Land, a visit by an important Holy See official is a great pleasure to us. It is sign of care and eagerness," local Church sources told AsiaNews.    

Cardinal Moussa Daoud's visit is being conducted according to strict protocol prescribed by the legal "status quo" regime in effect since Ottoman times.

At 9.00 a.m. the cardinal began the leg of his trip taking him from Jerusalem to Bethlehem where he will make his formal entrance in the Basilica of the Nativity. Welcomed and accompanied by Franciscan friars of the Holy Land Custodian, to whom the Catholic Church has entrusted the sanctuary's care, the Cardinal has been greeted by Palestinian civil dignitaries and representatives from other Christian denominations as well as the Greek and Armenian Orthodox Churches –who will all be present at the Nativity church.  

At 6.00 p.m., following a similar protocol, the cardinal will make his formal entrance  in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. Again he will be received and accompanied by Franciscan friars who have been entrusted  with the care and officiation of this Christian holy site since 1342. Here too the cardinal will be greeted by representatives of the Greek and Armenian Orthodox Churches who share the sanctuary with the Catholic Church (as is the case with the Basilica of the Nativity).   

During his stay in the Holy Land Cardinal Daoud, in charge of the ministry overseeing the territory, will have to meet with the Latin-rite Patriarch of Jerusalem, as well as with the Franciscan Holy Land Custodian and Eastern Church prelates. Courtesy calls are also scheduled to be made with Greek and Armenian Orthodox Patriarchs.