Pope Francis prayed for peace in the Holy Land during his annual Christmas message, urging a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
“We see Jesus in the children of the Middle East who continue to suffer because of growing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians,” the pope said before crowds gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for his yearly “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the City and the World”) address on noon Monday.
“On this festive day, let us ask the Lord for peace for Jerusalem and for all the Holy Land,” the pontiff continued. “Let us pray that the will to resume dialogue may prevail between the parties and that a negotiated solution can finally be reached, one that would allow the peaceful coexistence of two States within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders.”
“May the Lord also sustain the efforts of all those in the international community inspired by good will to help that afflicted land to find, despite grave obstacles the harmony, justice and security that it has long awaited,” he said.
This month, when U.S. President Donald Trump announced the transfer of the U.S. embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and the formal recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Pope Francis voiced his consternation over the decision.
In a special appeal, the pope called for respect for the “status quo” in Jerusalem while saying he was disturbed by recent news.
“My thoughts now turn to Jerusalem,” the pope said before a large crowd assembled in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall. “I cannot remain silent about my deep concern for the situation that has been created in the last days.” READ MORE
