Wednesday, December 6, shortly before the official statements of the US President, Donald Trump, regarding Jerusalem, Pope Francis and the Heads of the local Churches reaffirmed the vocation of the Holy City to peace.
During Wednesday morning traditional catechesis in the Vatican, Pope Francis expressed deep concern about the intention of the US President, Donald Trump, to transfer the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and to recognize the Holy City as the capital of Israel .
The Holy Father addressed “a passionate appeal to the international community to ensure that everyone is committed to respecting the status quo of the city, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions”.
“Jerusalem – Pope Francis continued -is a unique city, sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims who venerate the Holy Places of their respective religions: it is a city with a special vocation to peace”.
The Pope prayed to God for this identity to be “preserved and strengthened, and that wisdom and prudence prevail, to avoid new elements of tension in a world that is already convulsed and marked by so many cruel conflicts”.
In tune with the Pope’s message, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Local Churches of Jerusalem, including the Apostolic Administrator, Mons. Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, sent a public letter to the American President.
This is how the text reads: “Jerusalem is the city of God, it is the city of peace for us and for the world. However, today, it is a land of conflict. Those who love Jerusalem must work to make this land a place of peace, of life and dignity for its inhabitants.”