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Pope Francis called for a two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during his traditional Christmas Day speech in a stinging rebuke to President Trump who inflamed tensions in the region by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
“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 recognized borders,” the Pope said during his “Urbi et Orbi” address – Latin for to the city and the world.
“We see Jesus in the children of the Middle East who continue to suffer because of growing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians,” he told the audience of thousands from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The remarks by Francis, the leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, come two weeks after Trump reversed decades of American foreign policy by recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli capital – a move that was quickly condemned by the leaders of many Middle East countries.
Last week, 128 countries, including a number of US allies, backed a United Nations resolution rejecting Trump’s action.
It’s the second time that the pontiff has criticized Trump’s decision on Jerusalem.
Earlier in December, he noted that the Holy City is sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims and called for its identity to remain unchanged.
“I cannot remain silent about my deep concern for the situation that has developed in recent days,” Francis said. “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.”
With Post Wires
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