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The Western Wall in Jerusalem receives the hand of Pope Francis
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The Western Wall in Jerusalem receives the hand of Pope Francis
Date
2014
Description
Creator of the image: Andrew Medichini
Date of the image creation: 26 May 2014
Medium: Photograph
Person depicted: Pope Francis
Pope Francis, the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, is depicted here offering a silent prayer whilst touching the Western Wall, in Jerusalem — the holiest site in Judaism. This photo was taken during the Argentinian Pope’s first papal tour of the Holy Lands.
On his trip to the Wall, the Pope was accompanied by Rabbi Abraham Skorka and Muslim leader Omar Abboud. This can be seen as part of the inter-faith communication that Francis has attempted to foster during his time as Pope. Earlier that morning, the Pope visited the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount, a site sacred to Muslims, believed to be the place where Mohammed ascended to heaven. Two days before visiting the Western Wall, the Pope visited the Separation Wall, the illegal fortification dividing Israel from the Palestinian Occupied Territories. Francis touched the cement barrier and offered a silent pray, adopting the same pose he would later use whilst praying at the Western Wall. All of these actions can be seen as part of the Pope's effort to promote peace, justice and inter-faith community.
Later the piece of paper that the Pope pushed into a crack in the stone wall became the subject of low-level controversy. It was leaked to the press. On the handwritten note on papal letterhead was a Spanish translation of the Pater Noster, one the central prayers in Christianity:
‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will, be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us our daily bread. Forgive us for all our trespasses as we forgive all those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’
It was signed Francis.
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