By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — Asking prayers for his May 24-26 trip to the Holy Land, Pope Francis said his visit to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories would be “strictly religious.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The season of Lent, as a journey with Christ towards the Cross the Resurrection, always reawakens our sense of solidarity with our sisters and brothers living in the holy Land. It was there that the Apostles first heard the voice of the Lord Jesus, …