VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Pope John Paul II met on March 2 with 3,500
members of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

The Holy Father asked his visitors to pray for the success of his "important
mission" to the Holy Land. "In a few weeks, God willing, I myself will have
the grace of a visit to the Holy Sepulchre," he observed. He asked for special
prayers during the time of his visit: March 20 to 26.
 
The Pope also mentioned the "important mission" of the Knights of the Holy
Sepulchre, who are celebrating their Jubilee at the Vatican from March 1-4.
He gave particular attention to the order's emphasis on preservation of the
Christian way of life in the Holy Land.

The Knights of the Holy Sepulchre is an association of lay Catholics, headed
by a Grand Master, the Italian Cardinal Carlo Furno, whose purpose is to
serve the Church in the Holy Land. There are approximately 20,000 Knights
and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre worldwide, in service to the Latin
Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Their support helps parishes in Israel, Palestine,
Jordan, and Cyprus.