Setting the Ground for the Papal Pilgrimage (roundup)

Some general coverage of the Pope's visit, his intinerary and his intentions:

Five challenges await pope on Middle East swing: Trip is 'perhaps the most challenging so far' of his papacy, by John Allen, Jr. National Catholic Reporter May 7, 2009.
• Pope, Hope in Hand, is Heading to Mideast, by Rachel Donadio, Ethan Bronner and Isabel Kershner. New York Times May 7, 2009.
• Mideast Tour to Test Pope's Diplomacy, by Charles Levinson. Wall Street Journal May 7, 2009.
• Five Things the Pope Must Do on his MidEast Visit - namely, "repair his own image", "bridge civilizations", "reassure the Jews", "push peace in the Middle East", and "don't forget the Christians!" -- Jeff Israely plays it safe by keeping his prescription for the Pope general, as opposed to matters of specific policy.
• The Pope's Toughest Job in the Holy Land: Winning over the Christians, by Sandro Magister. (Chiesa) "The Israelis invited him, the Muslims are in favor of his visit. But not his own faithful in the area: most of the opposition to his trip has come from them. The reasons for the rejection. And the unknowns."

The papal intinerary, courtesy of the National Post (click for larger image)