Pope Francis has expressed his “deep concern” at President Donald Trump’s plan to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel arguing the move will create more tensions in the Holy Land and stressing the city is sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Francis made his comments to a gathering in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall following news that the United States president is planning to move the country’s embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“I cannot remain silent about my deep concern over the situation that has arisen in recent days and, at the same time, a heartfelt appeal so that everyone would be committed to respecting the status quo of the city, in accordance with the relative resolutions to the United Nations,” Francis said at the General Audience today (6 December).
While Israel regards Jerusalem as its capital, Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state…