The position of Custos was created more than 800 years ago. Unlike the other Ministers Provincial of the Franciscan Order, the Custos is elected directly by the Holy See. The term used at the time to designate the task was “custody” of the holy places, hence the title “Custos.” Friar Pierbattista Pizzaballa has met with Pope Benedict XVI several times before. As the superior of all Franciscans in the Middle East and the man responsible for all Catholic holy places here, he has also met numerous dignitaries and heads of state. And while he laughs as he describes the “big headache” that the preparations for the Pope's historic visit present – from seeing to the logistics, security issues and permits, to organizing hundreds of people across Israel – he says that he is also suffused with joy and excitement.

Pope Benedict XVI was welcomed to much fanfare with a state ceremony hosted by President Shimon Peres and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Below are photos from the welcoming ceremony.

Pope Benedict XVI's tour of Jerusalem's holy sites today continued with a visit to the Western Wall, where he engaged in meditative prayer for peace. Photos of this historic event appear below.

Pope Benedict XVI spent the lion's share of Monday in Jerusalem with Israel's President Shimon Peres, visiting with the Nobel Peace Prize winner at his official residenceand then participating in a poignant Holocaust memorial service at Yad Vashem. Below are photos from these events.

Pope Benedict XVI's historic visit to Jerusalem and the Holy Land continued this evening with a mass at the Kidron Valley, adjacent to the Garden of Gethsemane, where some 5000 pilgrims gathered. The Popemobile made its first 2009 Israel appearance at this event, where an enormous temporary stage stood amid old olive trees, beneath the Old City walls.

The most important Holy Land pilgrimage destination for the Catholic and Orthodox denominations of Christianity.