Issued by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media - Jordan. Editor-in-chief Fr. Rif'at Bader - موقع أبونا abouna.org

Published on Thursday, 18 January 2018
Pope: 'Jerusalem is a place of peace as evoked by its sacred places'

agensir.it and zenit.org :

The Holy See “will not cease to reiterate the urgent need for a resumption of dialogue between the Israelis and the Palestinians for a negotiated solution aimed at the peaceful coexistence of two states within the borders agreed between them and internationally recognised, in full respect of the distinctive nature of Jerusalem, whose significance goes beyond any considerations relating to territorial disputes”.

Pope Francis wrote this in a message to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al Tayyib, delivered on Wednesday, January 17, by the Apostolic Nuncio to Egypt, Mgr. Bruno Musarò, and read out this morning in Arabic by Mgr. Gaid Yoannis, the Pope’s personal secretary, to the participants in the “International Conference in Support of Jerusalem” promoted by Al-Azhar.

The Pope had been invited to attend the Conference but was unable to do so because of his apostolic journey to Chile. However, Pope Francis wrote, “From now on, I assure you that I will not fail to continue to implore God for the cause of peace, a true, real peace. In particular, I raise fervent prayers so that the leaders of nations, and civil and religious authorities in any place commit themselves to avert new spirals of violence and to support every effort to achieve harmony, justice and security for the peoples of that blessed Land which is so dear to me”.

“Only a special statute, the Pope went on to write, one that is also internationally guaranteed, can preserve” Jerusalem’s “identity, its unique vocation as a place of peace as evoked by its Sacred Places, as well as its universal value, enabling a future of reconciliation and hope for the whole region. This is the only aspiration of those who call themselves true believers and never tire of begging in prayer for a fraternal future for all”.

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Following is a ZENIT translation of the Letter that the Holy Father Francis ent to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al Tayyib;

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar

Excellency,

I received your letter of last December 16, regarding the Al-Azhar International Conference in Support of Jerusalem, which will take place on January 17. I thank you for your courteous invitation, and well as the kind expressions of esteem that you wished to express to me, and which I cordially return. As you revealed, on that day I will be committed in an Apostolic Journey, but from now on I assure you that I will not fail to continue to invoke God for the cause of peace, of a true and real peace. In particular, I raise heartfelt prayers so that leaders of Nations, and civil and religious Authorities everywhere, will commit themselves to avert new spirals of tension and to support every effort to have concord, justice and security prevail for the populations of that blessed Land, which I have so much at heart.

For its part, the Holy See will not cease to recall with urgency the necessity of the resumption of the dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians for a negotiated solution, geared to the peaceful coexistence of two States, within the borders agreed between them and internationally recognized, in full respect of the peculiar nature of Jerusalem, whose significance goes beyond any consideration of territorial questions. Only a special statute, also internationally guaranteed, will be able to preserve its identity, its unique vocation as a place of peace, to which the Sacred Places call, and its universal value, making possible a future of reconciliation and of hope for the entire region.

This is the sole aspiration of one who professes himself genuinely a believer and does not tire of imploring with prayer a future of fraternity for all. With these sentiments, I am pleased to renew to you my cordial greeting, invoking from the Most High every blessing for your person and for the high responsibility you cover.

From the Vatican, January 10, 2018

FRANCIS