{"id":83016,"date":"2026-02-19T23:24:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T23:24:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/?p=83016"},"modified":"2026-02-21T20:20:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T20:20:32","slug":"papal-audience-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/es\/italy\/papal-audience-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Nativity CEO Meets With Pope Leo XIV"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><section class=\"vc_section vc_custom_1771539129638 vc_section-has-fill\"><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_custom_1768418461047\"><div class=\"about-ipad wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner vc_custom_1768418441375\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1771541936510\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Nativity Pilgrimage CEO Meets With Pope Leo XIV<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>February 18, 2026, Rome<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1771543409138\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h4 dir=\"ltr\">I had the honor and blessing of meeting His Holiness Pope Leo XIV during his recent audience. It was a profound and humbling moment to personally thank him for his prayers, his leadership, and his unwavering voice for peace in the Holy Land.<\/h4>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\"><\/h4>\n<h4>My wife Yara, my son Andres, and I were honored to be present. As a family rooted in the Holy Land, this is not simply our profession \u2014 it is our mission and ministry. We are called to bring people to the land of the Gospel so they may pray, walk where Christ walked, and experience a life-changing encounter with Him.<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-type=\"the7_shortcodes-inline-css\">.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-3c896032ff6ebbb825d2d3204acdddd5.enable-bg-rollover .rollover i,\n.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-3c896032ff6ebbb825d2d3204acdddd5.enable-bg-rollover .rollover-video i {\n  background: -webkit-linear-gradient();\n  background: linear-gradient();\n}\n.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-3c896032ff6ebbb825d2d3204acdddd5 .rollover-icon {\n  font-size: 32px;\n  color: #ffffff;\n  min-width: 44px;\n  min-height: 44px;\n  line-height: 44px;\n  border-radius: 100px;\n  border-style: solid;\n  border-width: 0px;\n}\n.dt-icon-bg-on.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-3c896032ff6ebbb825d2d3204acdddd5 .rollover-icon {\n  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\n  box-shadow: none;\n}<\/style><div class=\"shortcode-single-image-wrap shortcode-single-image-3c896032ff6ebbb825d2d3204acdddd5 alignnone  enable-bg-rollover dt-icon-bg-off\" style=\"margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px; width:600px;\"><div class=\"shortcode-single-image\"><div class=\"fancy-media-wrap\" style=\"\"><a class=\"layzr-bg rollover rollover-zoom dt-pswp-item pswp-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Pope-Leo-Gift-2.png\" title=\"Pope Leo Gift\" data-dt-img-description=\"\" data-large_image_width=\"922\" data-large_image_height = \"1147\"  style=\"\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"preload-me lazy-load aspect\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D&#39;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg&#39;%20viewBox%3D&#39;0%200%20600%20800&#39;%2F%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Pope-Leo-Gift-2-600x800.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Pope-Leo-Gift-2-600x800.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Pope-Leo-Gift-2-860x1147.png 860w\" loading=\"eager\" style=\"--ratio: 600 \/ 800\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\"  data-dt-location=\"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/es\/italy\/papal-audience-2026\/attachment\/pope-leo-gift-2\/\" alt=\"Gift presented to Pope Leo XIV\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-type=\"the7_shortcodes-inline-css\">.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-b16d1f633ef29fa3c3fcf4135d8a5145.enable-bg-rollover .rollover i,\n.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-b16d1f633ef29fa3c3fcf4135d8a5145.enable-bg-rollover .rollover-video i {\n  background: -webkit-linear-gradient();\n  background: linear-gradient();\n}\n.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-b16d1f633ef29fa3c3fcf4135d8a5145 .rollover-icon {\n  font-size: 32px;\n  color: #ffffff;\n  min-width: 44px;\n  min-height: 44px;\n  line-height: 44px;\n  border-radius: 100px;\n  border-style: solid;\n  border-width: 0px;\n}\n.dt-icon-bg-on.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-b16d1f633ef29fa3c3fcf4135d8a5145 .rollover-icon {\n  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\n  box-shadow: none;\n}<\/style><div class=\"shortcode-single-image-wrap shortcode-single-image-b16d1f633ef29fa3c3fcf4135d8a5145 alignnone  enable-bg-rollover dt-icon-bg-off\" style=\"margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px; width:600px;\"><div class=\"shortcode-single-image\"><div class=\"fancy-media-wrap\" style=\"\"><a class=\"layzr-bg rollover rollover-zoom dt-pswp-item pswp-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Pope-Leo-Gift-1.png\" title=\"Pope Leo Gift\" data-dt-img-description=\"\" data-large_image_width=\"1080\" data-large_image_height = \"1754\"  style=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"preload-me lazy-load aspect\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D&#39;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg&#39;%20viewBox%3D&#39;0%200%20600%20800&#39;%2F%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Pope-Leo-Gift-1-600x800.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Pope-Leo-Gift-1-600x800.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Pope-Leo-Gift-1-1080x1440.png 1080w\" loading=\"eager\" style=\"--ratio: 600 \/ 800\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\"  data-dt-location=\"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/es\/italy\/papal-audience-2026\/attachment\/pope-leo-gift-1\/\" alt=\"Gift presented to Pope Leo XIV\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div id=\"ultimate-video-268069d4d05ee42c7\" class=\"ult-video  ult-adjust-bottom-margin ultimate-video-268069d4d05ee42c7 ultv-9563\"><div class=\"ultv-video ultv-aspect-ratio-16_9 ultv-subscribe-responsive-none\" data-videotype=\"uv_iframe\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ultv-video__outer-wrap\" data-autoplay=\"1\" data-device=\"false\"  data-iconbg=\"#3A3A3A\" data-overcolor=\"\" data-defaultbg=\"#1f1f1e\" data-defaultplay=\"defaulticon\"><div class=\"ultv-video__play\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JIyjwfgMmrU?autoplay=1&#038;rel=0&#038;start&#038;end&#038;controls=0&#038;mute=0&#038;modestbranding=1&#038;autoplay=1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ultv-video__thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/JIyjwfgMmrU\/maxresdefault.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ultv-video__play-icon  ultv-animation-none\" style=\"width:75px\"><svg height=\"100%\" version=\"1.1\" viewbox=\"0 0 68 48\" width=\"100%\"><path class=\"ultv-youtube-icon-bg\" d=\"m .66,37.62 c 0,0 .66,4.70 2.70,6.77 2.58,2.71 5.98,2.63 7.49,2.91 5.43,.52 23.10,.68 23.12,.68 .00,-1.3e-5 14.29,-0.02 23.81,-0.71 1.32,-0.15 4.22,-0.17 6.81,-2.89 2.03,-2.07 2.70,-6.77 2.70,-6.77 0,0 .67,-5.52 .67,-11.04 l 0,-5.17 c 0,-5.52 -0.67,-11.04 -0.67,-11.04 0,0 -0.66,-4.70 -2.70,-6.77 C 62.03,.86 59.13,.84 57.80,.69 48.28,0 34.00,0 34.00,0 33.97,0 19.69,0 10.18,.69 8.85,.84 5.95,.86 3.36,3.58 1.32,5.65 .66,10.35 .66,10.35 c 0,0 -0.55,4.50 -0.66,9.45 l 0,8.36 c .10,4.94 .66,9.45 .66,9.45 z\" fill=\"#1f1f1e\" ><\/path><path d=\"m 26.96,13.67 18.37,9.62 -18.37,9.55 -0.00,-19.17 z\" fill=\"#fff\"><\/path><path d=\"M 45.02,23.46 45.32,23.28 26.96,13.67 43.32,22.34 45.02,23.46 z\" fill=\"#ccc\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div> <\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1771543455806\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h4>During the audience, I had the privilege of presenting His Holiness with a handcrafted mother-of-pearl Nativity from Bethlehem. The artwork beautifully depicts the Birth of Christ, crowned above by the image of the Risen Lord \u2014 symbolizing the unity of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, the Incarnation and the Resurrection. Created by Christian artisans of the Holy Land, it represents the living faith and craftsmanship of a community that continues to safeguard the sacred heritage of Christianity.<\/h4>\n<h4>For nearly three years, many Christian families in the Holy Land have endured severe hardship due to the dramatic decline in tourism and income. More than 80% of Christian families depend directly on pilgrimage and tourism for their livelihood. By bringing thousands of pilgrims, we help create jobs and provide financial stability for local families \u2014 including guides, hotel workers, restaurant staff, olive wood artisans, and souvenir shop owners. Pilgrimage is not just travel; it is hope, dignity, and survival for the living stones who remain faithful in the land of Christ\u2019s birth.<\/h4>\n<h4>We remain committed to strengthening faith, building bridges of peace, and restoring hope to the Holy Land. The land of the Gospel is open, and its people are ready to welcome the world once again.<\/h4>\n<h4>With gratitude and faith,<\/h4>\n<h4><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-83020\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Jacoub-Signature-2-300x97.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"151\" height=\"49\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Jacoub-Signature-2-300x97.png 300w, https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Jacoub-Signature-2-1024x332.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Jacoub-Signature-2-768x249.png 768w, https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Jacoub-Signature-2-1536x498.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Jacoub-Signature-2-18x6.png 18w, https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Jacoub-Signature-2.png 1929w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 151px) 100vw, 151px\" \/><br \/>\nKhaled Jacoub, KHS<\/h4>\n<h4>CEO, Peregrinaci\u00f3n de la Natividad<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nativity Pilgrimage CEO Meets With Pope Leo XIV February 18, 2026, Rome I had the honor and blessing of meeting His Holiness Pope Leo XIV during his recent audience. It was a profound and humbling moment to personally thank him for his prayers, his leadership, and his unwavering voice for peace in the Holy Land.&hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":83142,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,420],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-83016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-italy","category-media","category-1","category-420","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83016","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=83016"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83016\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/83142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=83016"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=83016"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nativitypilgrimage.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=83016"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}