Tuesday, 8th April 2008 - 11:17CET

Archbishop hopes to lead young people on Holy Land pilgrimage

Archbishop Paul Cremona, who has just returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, said today that he hopes to go back again leading a pilgrimage by young people.

Mgr Cremona described the pilgrimage as a deeply spiritual experience.

He said that apart from the experience of walking on the sites which are so closely linked to the Christian beliefs, he was also struck by the large number of young visitors he saw there.

Mgr Cremona said he hoped to be back next year with young people too.

The Archbishop praised the Franciscans, including several Maltese, for their work in the Holy Land, where they are involved not only in pastoral work but also social work among Palestinians and Israelis.

Mgr Cremona was able to meet several Maltese priests and nuns working in the Holy Land, including a cloistered nun who has been there since 1940.