Pope Francis announced on Sunday that he would travel to Israel, the West Bank and Jordan in May, his first visit to the Holy Land and one that comes amid a new US push for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

The three-day visit in May also underscores Francis' close ties to the Jewish community, his outreach to Muslims and the Vatican's longstanding call for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

(READ the Assoc. Press story from the Washington Post)