Forventning før pavens besøk i flyktningeleir

JERUSALEM (CWNews.com) - As they await a visit from Pope John Paul II on Wednesday, March 22, the Palestinian residents of the Dheisheh refugee camp are buzzing with anticipation.

«I can't even begin to describe the atmosphere in Dheisheh,» one resident told reporters. «It is so exciting to be here--so exciting.» The camp's library has been temporarily transformed into an «operations room,» and is filled with residents making up signs and pictures to help give the Pope-- and the world-- an idea of the history behind the camp. The Dheisheh camp is now home to the residents of 43 towns that were destroyed during the fighting that led up to the creation of the State of Israel.

Residents report that the UN officials who supervise the refugee camp are cleaning up the area in preparation for the papal visit. «We wish we had an important visitor every day,» one resident said.

Catholic World News Service - Vatican Update