IN JERUSALEM’
had been “driven from their land” because of leaders willing to shed “innocent blood”.
Francis’s message sought “peace for Jerusalem and for all the Holy Land”.
“We see Jesus in the children of the Middle East who continue to suffer because of growing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians,” he said.
“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 recognised borders.”
His plea came as tensions simmered in the Israeli-occupied West Bank after United States President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
“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,” the pope said.
He mentioned other global flashpoints, such as Syria, Iraq, Yemen, South Sudan and Venezuela, after stressing that the “winds of war are blowing in our world”.
“Let us pray that confrontation may be overcome on the Korean peninsula and that mutual trust may increase in the interest of the world as a whole.” AFP