Golden Gate to Chapel of Ascension

The Cedron Valley prepared to welcome the Pope

In the Cedron Valley preparations for Benedict XVI’s visit proceed. The most spacious Catholic Church in Jerusalem is the Church of All Nations, in Gethsemane, which can congregate 800 people. However, it is still small for the number of Catholics that will participate in the Mass with the Pope.
The Franciscans have made available a part of the field that they acquired in 1666, which at the time probably formed one estate with the garden of Olives. Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Custodian of the Holy Land, explains the beauty and significance of this place.
“This is definitely a very beautiful and fascinating place from a visual point of view but also because of its great significance. We are here under the Golden Gate, or the Gate of Mercy, where, according to the Arab and Jewish mentality, the Judgment Day at the end of time will take place. Near by is the Basilica of Gethsemane. We stand between the Mount of Olives and the Holy City of Jerusalem. A placed filled with so many meanings from the Biblical history of both the Old and the New Testament; here Jesus began His passion, the way to the cross and His Resurrection. Therefore, it is a place that has a truly very profound and uplifting, symbolic meaning.”
Meanwhile preparations continue to welcome 3 to 6 thousand people. A workforce is operating in 18 hours shifts so that all is ready when the Pope arrives. The choice of this place was not random, but followed with careful reflection.
“Above all we had to choose a significant place, not just a simple stadium; a place where the Christian community could come and feel it as their own.”
“As we can see, we are conducting a restoration and restructuring of the garden itself. What you see is mainly the reconstruction of the terraces that hold up the road and function as walls of the valley itself.”

Mount of Olives

The Mt. of Olives is located east of Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley.

It offers a magnificent view of the Old City and a striking panorama as far as the Dead Sea and the mountains of Moab in the East.

The Mt. of Olives is associated with some of the most important events in Jesus' life.

Here, Jesus ascended to Heaven (Chapel of Ascension), f

oretold the destruction Jerusalem, taught his disciples the Lord's prayer (Pater Noster),

and wept over Jerusalem on his way to the Holy City on Palm Sunday (Church of Dominus Flevit).

The Russian Orthodox Church of St. Mary Magdalene, with its striking onion-shaped spires is also located on the Mt. of Olives.

Basilica of Agony

The Church of All Nations ( also known as the Basilica of Agony) is so named because its construction in 1924 was financed by twelve different countries. The church is built over 2 others, the Egenia dating from around 380, and a crusader basilica of around 1170. The Church is also notable for its Byzantine mosaic floor and the striking mosaic arches above the entrance.

The Church of Virgin Mary's tomb

According to tradition, the Virgin Mary, who died in Jerusalem, was buried in the Kidron Valley. The present church was built by the Crusaders over the ruins of a Byzantine basilica. The site marks the traditional place of Virgin Mary's tomb and her Assumption.