Pope Francis told Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein he would visit Israel, but he did not mention a date.
Edelstein, who was this week on an official visit to Italy and the Vatican, told the pontiff he'd love to see him visit Israel and that he would be the Speaker's personal guest in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
"I'll come, I'll come," Pope Francis responded.
During a visit of Israeli President Shimon Peres to the Vatican in May, shortly after the pope’s election, the Pontiff accepted an invitation to come to Israel for an official state.
In July, Pope Francis indicated in July he would visit Israel in 2014 to mark the 50th anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s visit to Jerusalem in 1964, which took place before the Vatican recognized the State of Israel.
Both of the Poper Francis’immediate predecessors visited Israel — Benedict XVI in 2009 and John Paul II in 2000.
During his meeting with the pope, Edelstein also asked him to use his influence to combat anti-Semitism.
“There is still anti-Semitism in the world,” Edelstein said.