Pope Benedict XVI is expected to visit Israel .and the Palestinian territories next year in a trip that is aimed at shoring up political and relgious relations, the Vatican said Thursday.

The visit will be the pope's first to the Holy Land since his election in 2005.

Some say the visit could help ease tensions between Jews and Catholics, the former of which believe Pope Pius XII turned a blind eye to the Holocaust during World War II.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said the pope had accepted an invitation by Israeli President Shimon Peres to visit in May, but Vatican officials would not confirm that.

The Vatican did say, however, that talks were underway, Reuters reported.

© 2008 Newsroom.