Some interesting and timely news out of Rome early this morning:

Two months after his trip to Africa, the Holy Father is scheduled to visit the Middle East where he will see the place of Jesus’ baptism, a mosque in Jordan, the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, as well as Bethlehem and Nazareth.

Though the trip has not yet officially been announced, an article in the Italian daily, Il Giornale written by Vatican expert Andrea Tornielli reports that Pope Benedict’s May 8-15 travels are scheduled to begin in Amman, Jordan where he visit a mosque as well as Mt. Nebo, a site that John Paul II stopped at in 2000.

The Italian daily also notes that the trip could be postponed due to violence in the region. However, as of now, the Holy Father is scheduled to celebrate Mass for Catholics in Amman on May 10 before visiting the site of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan.

The following day, the Pope plans to travel to Tel Aviv, Israel to first visit with the Israeli president before going to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum.

Check the CNA link for details.