Papal Visit Holy Land 1964

GREETINGS FROM THE HOLY FATHER TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES UPON ENTERING JERUSALEM THROUGH THE DAMASCUS GATE January 4, 1964 Mr. Governor, Mr. Mayor, Inhabitants of Jerusalem, And all of you who have come, near or far, to surround Us here in this moment. Receive Our greeting. Welcome the expression of Our joy and the emotion that fills Our hearts as we cross the threshold of the Holy City. Today what was the object of the desires of so many men at the time of the Patriarchs and Prophets, of so many pilgrims who have come for twenty centuries to visit the tomb of Christ, is being realized for Us. Today We can cry out with the sacred author: " Finally Our feet now tread the threshold of your gates, Jerusalem! " (Ps 122, 2), and add with him in all truth: " This is the day that God has made: a day of joy and joy! " (Ps 117, 24). From the depths of Our cœur, We thank Almighty God for bringing Us to this place and this hour. And We invite you all to join in Our thanksgiving. To the Authorities is addressed first of all Our gratitude, for the fervent welcome which has been reserved for Us here. To the inhabitants of Jerusalem, We express Our esteem for their religious spirit, for their noble traditions of courtesy and hospitality towards all pilgrims to the Holy Places. We invite them to raise with Us their hands and their hearts towards Heaven to bring down to their holy City the abundance of divine blessings. HAS Our Catholic sons and to all those who honor themselves with the name of Christians, We say: enter with Us into the spirit of this pilgrimage. Come with Us to follow in the footsteps of those of Christ, ascend with Him to Calvary, venerate the forever glorious tomb from which He emerged full of life after having conquered death and redeemed the world. Come with Us to offer her his Church to the very places where he shed his blood for her. Let us implore together the much desired grace of union among all the disciples of the Gospel.