We begin 2020 with good news from the Holy Land. The Israeli and Palestinian Ministry of Tourism confirms the record for tourism in 2019. The numbers are striking, 4,551,600 tourists: 10.6% more than in 2018. For Israel's Minister of Tourism Yariv Levi, 2019 ended with a new record for tourism. All-time record in the arrival of tourists in December 2019: 358,300, 10% more than in December 2018. This is the third consecutive year in which the record for tourist arrivals is broken. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are the most visited cities. The Ministry of Tourism of Israel does not specify the number of pilgrims, but the growth of visitors to the shrines is visible. The Palestinian Minister of Tourism Rula Ma'yaa also reported the record number of pilgrims. Due to a large number of groups, the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem has extended its opening hours by three hours, until 8 p.m. RODRIGO LUIZ Brasil "I was really surprised because there are so many pilgrims this year in November. It is surprising to see this manifestation of faith. Our group counts 160 pilgrims on 3 buses. Today is the last day and the pilgrims are going back happy with this experience of faith. Happy to have come into contact with so many pilgrims from Brazil and from all over the world. This only strengthens our faith." LARISSA Brasil "It is the first time that I come here with so many people, but God gives us the grace to visit the holy places where we can experience the sacred. We arranged with many people to arrive early so that the essence of the spirituality of the Holy Sepulchre could be absorbed by our pilgrims." In the words of Brother Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, hopes and prayers for this new year. Br FRANCESCO PATTON,ofm Custos of the Holy Land "We hope that the number of pilgrims will continue to grow, and I would even dare say that pilgrims themselves are a deterrent to any explicit forms of conflict. I hope and pray that the pilgrims continue to come with faith to the Holy Land, continue to come here a little like the Magi, guided by the star, that is by the personal search, but also guided by the word of God, by the Scriptures, in order to be able to meet Jesus." Br FRANCESCO PATTON,ofm Custos of the Holy Land "We always pray and hope that diplomacy, that is to say, the ability to dialogue, will prevail over the use of violence, even where there has already been violence. Consequently, it is necessary to mend, to establish relationships or to find a way out of a situation that seems to have the conflict as its only dynamic." Read More