VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis Wednesday defended the “status quo” of Jerusalem, hours ahead of an announcement by US President Donald Trump in which officials said he will recognize the disputed city as Israel’s capital.
“I cannot silence my deep concern over the situation that has emerged in recent days. At the same time, I appeal strongly for all to respect the city’s status quo, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions,” the pope said in his weekly address.
The Argentine pontiff’s call came a day after he spoke by phone with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, the Vatican said without elaborating.
“Jerusalem is a unique city, sacred for Jews, Christians and Muslims,” he said, adding that it was home to sites deemed holy by followers of the three major monotheistic faiths.
Jerusalem, the pope said, holds a “special vocation for peace.”
“I pray to God that this identity is preserved and reinforced, for the sake of the Holy Land, the Middle East and the whole world, and that wisdom and prudence prevail,” he said.
The pontiff added that maintaining the status quo was important “in order to avoid adding new elements of tension to an already volatile world that is wracked by so many cruel conflicts.”
Pope Francis defends Jerusalem ‘status quo’
Pope Francis defends Jerusalem ‘status quo’
GCC, EU foreign ministers to hold emergency meeting on Iran attacks
DUBAI: Foreign ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union are set to hold an emergency ministerial meeting on Thursday to discuss the implications of Iranian attacks on GCC states and the wider regional developments.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said the meeting will bring together foreign ministers from the GCC and EU member states.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, will also participate via videoconference.
Albudaiwi said the talks will address the consequences of what he described as Iranian aggression against GCC states and its broader impact on regional and global security.
He added that the GCC, through coordination with regional and international partners, aims to condemn attacks targeting civilians, infrastructure and diplomatic premises in member states.
The meeting will also call on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities to stop the war and support regional and international stability, he said.
