Pope urges Israel, Palestine to talk

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis has urged Israeli and Palestinian authorities to make greater efforts to seek dialogue following recent deadly bomb attacks in Jerusalem and clashes in the occupied West Bank.

Speaking to thousands of people in St Peter’s Square for his Sunday blessing, Francis said violence was “killing the future” for both. Two bombs exploded at bus stops on Jerusalem’s outskirts on Wednesday, killing a boy, 16, and wounding 14 people in an attack thought to be by Palestinian militants. A man, 50, died later. On Tuesday night, a Palestinian boy, 16, was shot dead by Israeli forces in clashes in the city of Nablus.