Rome  - Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday officially announced the dates for his planned trip to the Holy Land in May.

Benedict, speaking after his midday Angelus message said he would make the pilgrimage from May 8 -15, and pray for unity and peace in the region as well for all humankind.

He did not go into further details about the visit. The Vatican indicated that the pontiff would visit Jordan during the first leg of the visit on May 11 and then travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

He was expected to visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth. dpa