Pope Francis Suggests 2 States In Israel As Solution To Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Pope Francis has called for a negotiated two states in Israel as a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In his address – “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) during the Christmas celebration, Pope Francis highlighted the “children of the Middle East who continue to suffer because of growing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.”
Pope’s suggestion came days after more than 120 countries backed a U.N. resolution urging the U.S. to reverse its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
“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 had previously publicly criticized the United State of America President, Donald Trump’s decision on Jerusalem, saying: “he cannot remain silent” about the decision.”
He called for all to respect the “status quo” in conformity with U.N. resolutions even as he noted that Jerusalem is “a unique city sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims.
He said that they are Holy Places for the respective religions and are venerated.
“It has a special vocation to peace.”
After calling for prayers for peace in the Middle East, Francis used the rest of his address to call for the end of conflicts across the world, including Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, the Korean peninsula, Venezuela, South Sudan and Somalia.
He also called for the protection of minority groups in Myanmar and Bangladesh, saying’ “Jesus knows well the pain of not being welcomed and how hard it is not to have a place to lay one’s head.”
In his Christmas Eve address, Pope Francis strongly defended immigration, calling for openness to foreigners and refugees.