BETHLEHEM, The Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, arrived today at the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem coming from Jerusalem ushering in the Christmas celebrations which kick off tomorrow.

Upon his arrival at Manger Square, Patton was greeted by a handful of state officials, clerks, community leaders and journalists, including the Governor of Bethlehem Kamel Hamid and Ramzi Khoury, the Head of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs.

Welcoming the Custos of the Holy Land, Khoury said, “Our message is always to arm ourselves with hope towards achieving our national goals, by sweeping away the occupation and establishing a Palestinian state.”

He added that the Christmas convoy will tour the governorates of Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jericho, and Jenin.

Meantime, Hamid said that preparations are in full swing and there is cooperation to make this national ceremony a success.

He added: “Our message is that stability prevails in the entire region, and that the world achieves justice to the Palestinian people.”

Source: Palestine News & Info Agency