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Vatican Stews Over Israel's Last Supper Fight

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted May 11, 2009 3:00 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Israeli-Vatican tensions are expected to heat up yet again during Pope Benedict's visit today as the pontiff presses Catholic claims over a room in Jerusalem believed to be the site of Christ's last supper. The room is in a building that served for centuries as a mosque and is now marked with Arabic inscriptions. Israel is reluctant to hand the site over without significant backing from the Vatican to help develop and manage it as a massive Christian tourist site.

"If we were certain that this great gift to the Christian world would bring us millions of Christian tourists we might think about it. But since that isn't going to happen, we have no reason to give away presents," said Israel's tourist minister. Control of the site is critical to the Vatican. "Our home was there and I want to be at home," said Jerusalem's papal nuncio.

Christian pilgrims walk in front of the Cenacle, traditionally believed to be the site of the Last Supper, in the Tomb of David complex near Mount Zion in Jerusalem.
Christian pilgrims walk in front of the Cenacle, traditionally believed to be the site of the Last Supper, in the Tomb of David complex near Mount Zion in Jerusalem.   (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill)
A Christian pilgrim prays near the Cenacle, traditionally believed to be the site of the Last Supper, in the Tomb of David complex near Mount Zion in Jerusalem.
A Christian pilgrim prays near the Cenacle, traditionally believed to be the site of the Last Supper, in the Tomb of David complex near Mount Zion in Jerusalem.   (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill)
A scene from Leonardo da Vinci's painting of the Last Supper.
A scene from Leonardo da Vinci's painting of the Last Supper.
Actors play out the last supper during the Stations of the Cross outside St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, Australia, last year in front of a recreation of Leonardo da Vinci's painting, The Last Supper.
Actors play out the last supper during the Stations of the Cross outside St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, Australia, last year in front of a recreation of Leonardo da Vinci's painting, The Last Supper.   (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
JonmarkP
May 11, 2009 11:14 AM CDT
There will be an even bigger battle over the room where the Tooth Fairy originally stored all those teeth. And what about that room at the North Pole where Santa prayed, before he drowned?
justapirate
May 11, 2009 8:46 AM CDT
After reading the article, it doesn't really sound like they have much proof.
Rob
May 11, 2009 8:21 AM CDT
Why is it that Islam or Judaism never gets the vicious kind of attacks that are so readily aimed at Christianity? I am an atheist and find the facile and constant anti-Christian tone profoundly despicable.

 
Pope Benedict XVI • Catholic Church • Jerusalem • Vatican • Catholic • The Last Supper • Jesus Christ • Eucharist • King David

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