ROME (JTA) – Pope Francis will visit Israel, Jordan and the West Bank in May.

The pontiff made the formal announcement of his long-anticipated trip Sunday after celebrating mass and reciting the Angelus prayer from his Vatican window, in front of crowds who had braved rainy weather to gather in St. Peter’s Square.

“In the climate of joy, typical of this Christmas season, I wish to announce that from 24 to 26 May next, God willing, I will make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land,” he said.

The pope said he would visit Amman, Bethlehem and Jerusalem.  The main purpose of the trip, he said, would be “to commemorate the meeting between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras” which took place 50 years ago, on Jan. 5, 1964.

Paul VI’s visit Jan. 4-6, 1964 to Israel and Jordan was the first time a pontiff had visited the Holy Land. Pope’s John Paul II and Benedict XVII both made pilgrimages to the region.

Francis said his trip would include “an Ecumenical Meeting held at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with the representatives of all the Christian Churches of Jerusalem, together with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.” He added: “As of now I ask you to pray for this pilgrimage.”

There has been speculation for months that this trip would take place in the spring, but Sunday was the first official announcement. Francis had been officially invited to visit Israel on several occasions since he was elected pope in April, and he expressed his desire and intention to visit the Holy Land on more than one occasion.

December 30 marked the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Fundamental Agreement that established diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Israel.