U.S. President Donald Trump places a note in the Western Wall in Jerusalem May 22. Following reports that Trump planned to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Pope Francis expressed his concern that such a move would further destabilize the Middle East. (CNS photo/Jonathan Ernst, Reuters)

Pope concerned by U.S. move to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

606 0

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump planned to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Pope Francis expressed his concern that such a move would further destabilize the Middle East.

Pope Francis said he could not “keep silent about my deep concern” for Jerusalem and urged respect for “the status quo of the city in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.”

The pope spoke at the end of his weekly general audience Dec. 6, the same day Trump announced his decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, fulfilling a promise he made during his presidential campaign.

Former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush had made the same promises during their campaigns, but once in office, they did not carry through with the move, citing its potential negative impact on Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Trump drew warnings from Middle Eastern and European leaders that overturning the United States’ long-standing policy would further complicate peace negotiations.

According to Vatican Radio, the pope received a telephone call from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Dec. 5 regarding Trump’s plan to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.

The conversation was “part of a series of contacts made by the president of the Palestinian National Authority after his conversation with Donald Trump during which — according to Abbas’ spokesman — the U.S. president announced his intention to move the American embassy,” Greg Burke, Vatican spokesman, told Vatican Radio.

The Vatican supports a “two-state solution” for the Holy Land with independence, recognition and secure borders for both Israel and Palestine.

At the same time, the Vatican consistently has called for a special status for Jerusalem, particularly its Old City, in order to protect and guarantee access to the holy sites of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

In his appeal, Pope Francis said, “Jerusalem is a unique city, sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims who venerate the holy places of their respective religions, and has a special vocation to peace.”

Since the early 1990s, the Vatican has seen as separate issues the need for a special status for the city and questions over the political sovereignty or control of Jerusalem. The political question, it has insisted, must be the result of negotiation.

The internationally unsettled status of Jerusalem and its central importance to Jews, Muslims and Christians explains why, while recognizing the state of Israel, no nation has its embassy in the holy city.

“I pray to the Lord that this identity would be preserved and strengthened for the benefit of the Holy Land, the Middle East and the whole world and that wisdom and prudence would prevail, to avoid adding new elements of tension in a world already shaken and scarred by many cruel conflicts,” the pope said.

Before the audience, Pope Francis met with religious leaders from Palestine attending a meeting sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

Dialogue, the pope said, takes place at every level, especially “in our families, in our religious communities, between different religious communities, and also in civil society.”

However, a key condition for dialogue is mutual respect and a commitment to strengthen that respect “for the sake of recognizing the rights of all people, wherever they happen to be,” he said.

“Dialogue is the source of greater mutual knowledge, greater mutual esteem and cooperation in the pursuit of the common good, and generous cooperation in ensuring that those in need receive all necessary assistance,” Pope Francis said.

Related Post

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kan., chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, celebrates Mass during the National Prayer Vigil for Life Jan. 17, 2019, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Measure provides for respectful ‘disposition’ of fetal remains

Posted by - November 9, 2019 0
WASHINGTON (CNS) — A bill in Congress to require respectful disposition of fetal remains from abortions as well as accountability…
Supporters wait for the arrival of South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Berlin July 5. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea welcomed Moon's peace initiative with North Korea, saying it matches the church's views on how peace can be achieved in the region. (CNS photo/Felipe Tureba, EPA)

Korean bishops’ head backs South Korean leader’s peace goal with North

Posted by - July 23, 2017 0
SEOUL, South Korea (CNS) — The president of the Korean bishops’ conference has welcomed President Moon Jae-in’s peace initiative, saying…
Sisters from seven Latin American countries who serve in poor communities in the United States pose May 26 in Chicago during a May 19-28 meeting and retreat. They are in the U.S. through Catholic Extension's U.S.-Latin American Sisters Exchange Program. (CNS photo/Rich Kalonick, Catholic Extension)

Latin American sisters in U.S. ‘build bridges’ during ‘challenging time’

Posted by - June 17, 2017 0
CHICAGO (CNS) — Thirty-four Latin American sisters who are working as missionaries in poor Latino communities in the United States…
An elderly woman participates in the 47th annual March for Life in Washington Jan. 24, 2020. Pope Francis told told Catholic seniors and pastoral workers from around the world Jan. 31 that old age "is not a disease, it's a privilege," and Catholic dioceses and parishes miss a huge and growing resource if they ignore their senior members. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)

Church must recognize the gifts of older Catholics, pope says

Posted by - February 9, 2020 0
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Old age “is not a disease, it’s a privilege,” and Catholic dioceses and parishes miss a…