Pope in an office with people, shaking hands

Pope voices ‘deep concern’ over Trump plan on Jerusalem

Rome: Pope Francis has added his voice to the chorus of world leaders denouncing President Donald Trump’s plan to declare Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the US embassy there, warning it could ignite unnecessary conflict and threaten the city’s status as a holy place for Jews, Christians and Muslims.

“I cannot remain silent about my deep concern for the situation that has developed in recent days and, at the same time, I wish to make a heartfelt appeal to ensure that everyone is committed to respecting the status quo of the city, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations,” Pope Francis said during his weekly general audience at the Vatican.

“Jerusalem is a unique city, sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, where the Holy Places for the respective religions are venerated, and it has a special vocation to peace,” he said.

In especially strong language, the pope added, “I pray to the Lord that such identity be preserved and strengthened for the benefit of the Holy Land, the Middle East and the entire world, and that wisdom and prudence prevail, to avoid adding new elements of tension in a world already shaken and scarred by many cruel conflicts.”

Read the full article by Jason Horowitz at the Brisbane Times.