Should the Pope Remove his Cross at the Western Wall?

Pope Benedict XVI, who confirmed that he was coming to Israel in May, will definitely visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. But the Pope will not tour that part of the museum where a photograph of his predecessor Pius XII is displayed with a caption saying the wartime pope did not act to save Jews from the Holocaust.

An official said that while the dispute over Pius XII was “a serious and sensitive matter,” it would be unthinkable for the pope to come to Israel without going to Yad Vashem. There were those within the Holy See who argued that Benedict could not come to “a physical place where his predecessor is presented as a criminal,” he said. But while this meant it was highly unlikely that the pope would enter the room where the Pius photograph and caption were on display, if the exhibit remained unchanged, it would not prevent the pontiff’s coming to Yad Vashem.

At each stop, in his position as both head of the Catholic church and a head of state, he will meet with local church and political leaders – notably King Abdullah of Jordan, President Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. There will be major masses in Amman, Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth, the official said.

Unlike pope John Paul II, who did visit the Temple Mount but did not go into al-Aksa, Benedict will enter that mosque.

In light of Pope Benedict’s announcement that he is planning on visiting Israel in May, yesterday we posted a question on TMC’s Twitter profile: Should Pope Benedict be forced to remove his cross when visiting the Western Wall in Israel? What do you think?

Having a mixed audience of members of both the Christian and Messianic community, you can guess our responses were of mixed opinions. Just to highlight a couple of them…

“Of course, he should remove the cross. It is idolatry, the very thing which caused Ephraim to be exiled from the land.”

“I think that God is bigger than a cross around someone’s neck & that respect is important & truth does not need symbols:)”

“The pope should never have to remove his cross as he is an ambassador for Christ to spread the Gospel, not hide it.”

Now we are asking you, what do you think about Pope Benedict wearing a cross at the Western Wall?

Submitted by: josiah, March 27th, 2009 Topic: Israel Forums
Tags: Israel, israel, Pope Benedict, The Messianic Center , The Messianic center, The Messianic Center, Western Wall

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4 Comments

Tzidkenu commented on April 02, 2009:

The Pope is Catholic. Why should he hide that? He's not forcing anyone else to wear it. People are way too sensitive. The fact that he's making a visit to both Yad Vashem and the wailing wall is huge for the head of the Catholic Church. If I'm going to the Vatican, should I be required to remove my Magen David or my tzi-tzit? Besides, what's this about the 'older brother?' Jews in the land are not believers for the most part and neither is the Pope I suspect.

Levi commented on March 31, 2009:

OK...so, if he is the "older brother," be sensative. If Sponge Bob offended people I am sure you would not remove your picture of you w/him you have here because you have the right to be with any one you desire...right? Keep offending peole...that's the right thing???

Tzidkenu commented on March 30, 2009:

No, the pope should not have to remove his cross. He's the head of the Catholic church and is making an official visit. Israel has Christians coming all the time and even those who live there with big crosses on, even at the Western Wall. Once again, majoring in the minors. Now if he visits with Hamas, it's a different story.

Levi commented on March 29, 2009:

Yes, it would be extremely insensitive not to. He's told people he believes in Jesus, it's not like he is denying his faith by taking it off. Take it off pope!

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