On the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, and the bishop of Santander, Monsignor Arturo Ros, signed the twinning agreement between the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana (Cantabria), where the Lignum Crucis is kept, the largest relic of the Cross of Christ currently preserved.

"This twinning constitutes a very profound bond between this sanctuary and the place of the crucifixion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which entails a spiritual development, a social dimension and a dimension of hope", said the Custos. Ielpo stated that "pilgrims will be able to venerate the relic of the Lignum Crucis, as well as the relic of Golgotha, which he presented during the exchange of gifts, where this Cross was raised".

"One cannot love what one does not know. For this reason, he continued, this twinning brings with it a greater knowledge of the Holy Places and enables the faithful to have a closer bond with the Holy Land, which will take concrete form through pilgrimage, by which the Christians there will be helped". He recalled that, in Bethlehem, 75% of Christians live from religious tourism, "and the return of pilgrims will contribute to the development of the area", he confirmed. Finally, he wanted to point out that Christians in the Holy Land need not to feel forgotten and to know that they are not alone. "This twinning also represents a bond of friendship, support and closeness, which generates hope for the Christians who live there". Following the signing of the twinning agreement and the exchange of gifts, the Eucharistic celebration began with a procession with the Lignum Crucis, carried under a canopy by the bishop of the Diocese of Santander, Monsignor Arturo Ros.

The Custos in Cantabria

The Custos wanted to take advantage of his visit to Cantabria to visit various places, speak about the Holy Land and bear witness to the situation currently experienced by Christians, who safeguard, preserve and maintain the life and celebration of the faith in the Holy Places.

His first stop, on September 11, was the Sanctuary of the Virgen Bien Aparecida, to pray at the feet of the patroness of the diocese. He then travelled to Colindres, where he gave his testimony and celebrated the Eucharist.

The following day, before a large audience present at the Virgen de la Barquera sanctuary (San Vicente de la Barquera), he spoke about the difficult situation in which Christians in the Holy Land are living. "There is a problem related to the decline in the Christian presence. More and more families are leaving for abroad because they do not want their children to grow up in an environment of conflict, but in addition to this situation there is also a lack of employment". He also assured that "Bethlehem is in a critical situation". Despite all this, Ielpo stressed that "the Church takes no side other than that of humanity".

On Sunday, September 13, the Custos’ day focused on Santander, where he celebrated the Eucharist and presided over the praying of Vespers in the Cathedral.