Dark Christmas in the Holy Land: A lack of pilgrims ensures worries!
Dark Christmas in the Holy Land: A lack of pilgrims ensures worries!
Bethlehem, Israel - The situation for tourism in the Holy Land is threatening. The war in the region led to a dramatic decline in pilgrimage numbers in 2024. According to the Israeli diplomat Peleg Lewi, the number of foreign visitors has dropped by about three quarters to only 900,000. Against the background of violence and uncertainties, the forecast for the upcoming Christmas in Bethlehem is dark. A certain ceasefire with the Lebanon has had little impact on the tourism situation, as Lewi reports: "Christmas looks very dark," he told the Catholic news agency. Travel warnings and a limited range of flights make it more difficult to arrive from the pilgrims.
In Jerusalem, those responsible for the Christian information center confirm the decline in Catholic groups. In 2019, 16,000 groups brought a total of 613,300 pilgrims to the sacred sites for service. But in 2024, a total of less than 2,000 groups, with an estimated 56,000 pilgrims, were able to book a service. The situation is catastrophic for the Christian communities dependent on pilgrimage tourism. In order to keep the local employees, the church houses such as the Dormitio Abbey are fighting against financial slip. The head of the hospital in Tabgha, Georg Röwekamp, aptly formulates: "Tourism is the first to be hit by war, and the last one that recovers."
holy year 2025 in Rome as a glimmer of hope
Despite the dark prospects in the Holy Land, there is a bright spot in 2025. A holy year is celebrated in Rome, which is under the motto "Pilgrim of Hope". Pope Francis has stipulated that the celebrations on December 24, 2024 will start opening the holy gate on the Christmas night. Rome expects up to 45 million pilgrims to visit the large basilicas. This is intended to focus on spiritual renewal and celebrating faith. Pilgrims have the opportunity to take part in various events, including fines and international meetings, and to visit the churches. This anniversary year could also lead to a rethink that the faithful bring hope to the Holy Land again.
The challenges in the Holy Land remain constant, while the anticipation for the Holy Year in the coming year is reorganizing hope of returning the pilgrims. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa encourages all believers: "Come if you can; the pilgrimage is safe." The faith communities in the Holy Land hope that the challenge also leads to strengthening faith and community, while the pilgrimage flows return to the region.
For more information about the coming Holy Year celebration in Rome, see the publication of Bistum-speyer.de .
For the current situation in the Holy Land, see the reporting of DetailsOrt Bethlehem, Israel Quellen
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