Today, 25th of May, Pope Francis came to Bethlehem for a religious visit. As anyone that visits Bethlehem knows, it is impossible to visit for religious purposes without also noticing the present political situation. He drove past the watchtower at the entrance to Bethlehem in his so-called ‘pope-mobile’ and was welcomed by the people of Aida refugee Camp. At the watchtower, the Pope surprised everyone by getting out of his vehicle, walking to the apartheid wall, and laying hands on the wall in prayer, just beneath numerous anti-occupation slogans that had been spray-painted on it.
The municipality of Bethlehem spent weeks preparing for the Pope’s visit by beautifying the streets and fixing up Nativity Square. Some residents felt that this gave him a false image of the region, but they still had hope that he would see the reality and feel compelled to make a statement about it.
Story by : Kate Carlson, Mohammad Al-Azza & Pernille Sørensen
Interview : Habshe Yossef, Mohammad Abu Srour & Mohammad Al-Azza
Voice by : Isra’ Abusrour