(16 Mar 2000) English/Nat
Next week the Pope arrives in Israel for an historic visit to the Holy Land.
One of the highlights of the tour will be the celebration of mass in Nazareth - Jesus' boyhood home.
But it is a city where quarrels have been laid bare by the Pontiff's pilgrimage.
The haunting sound of the call to prayer echoes across Nazareth.
Nestled in hills north of the West Bank, Nazareth is the largest Arab city in Israel.
It is also the place where Jesus grew up.
His home is now a building site.
Construction is under way to restore the site as it was in the first century - and that includes a thatched roof on the humble stone building.
Michael Hostetler is the driving force behind the project.
He wants pilgrims to see a little bit of Nazareth as it used to be - not just the bustling city it now is.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"When people come to Nazareth they come full of expectations, full of a desire to see Nazareth as it was when Jesus was here. What they see is a modern town with antenna and trucks and modern cars and very little that takes them back to when Jesus was here. Nazareth village will change that."
SUPER CAPTION: Michael Hostetler, Executive Director of "Nazareth Village"
But what tourists and pilgrims have also seen in recent days is piles of stinking garbage in the shadow of one of the most revered sites in Christendom - the Basilica of the Annunciation.
A strike by city workers has delayed preparations for the Pope's visit - the workers haven't been paid in two months.
But the mayor of Nazareth is confident his town will be ready to greet the Pontiff.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The people of the city, all the people of the city, Muslims and Christians, will welcome His Excellency, His Holiness the Pope, in his visit in the best atmosphere. I hope also the problem of the strike will be finished and the city will look in the best way."
SUPER CAPTION: Ramez Jeraisi, mayor of Nazareth
In Nazareth, the garbage wars are only one of several ongoing quarrels laid bare by the Pope's pilgrimage.
Another quarrel is the plan to build a mosque by the Basilica.
The project drew sharp objections from the Vatican because of its proximity to the Church.
As an act of protest, Muslims pray outside on the site where building is due to start.
With the spotlight falling on Nazareth, Islamic leaders have used the opportunity to air their grievances.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We are welcoming the Pope and we are prepared ourselves to say welcome for the Pope but we are very sorry to tell you that the Israeli government doesn't give us money to pay for the workers of the municipality of Nazareth."
SUPER CAPTION: Salman Abu Ahmad, spokesman of the Islamic Movement in Nazareth
In the alleys of the city, souvenirs are on sale in anticipation of the thousands of pilgrims expected to descend on Nazareth.
The streets will be lined by flag waving youngsters as the Pope makes his way to the Basilica.
The Basilica is the site where Christians believe the Angel Gabriel revealed to the Virgin Mary that she would bear the son of God.
The Pope will celebrate mass here on March 25.
A steady stream of tourists come to view the ornate interior.
Pope Paul VI visited the Holy Land in 1964.
He returns at the start of a new Millennium - two thousand years after Jesus was born.
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