Pope Francis is coming out against Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the U.S. Embassy there. Today the Pontiff posted about it on Instagram and also made the following statement to his general audience at the Vatican:

“I cannot remain silent about my deep concern for the situation that has developed in recent days 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.

Jerusalem is a unique city, sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, where the Holy Places for the respective religions are venerated, and it has a special vocation to peace.

I pray to the Lord that such identity be preserved and strengthened for the benefit of the Holy Land, the Middle East and the entire world, and that wisdom and prudence prevail, to avoid adding new elements of tension in a world already shaken and scarred by many cruel conflicts.”

EN: Jerusalem is a unique city, sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, and it has a special vocation to peace. I pray to the Lord that such identity be preserved and strengthened for the benefit of the Holy Land, the Middle East and the entire world. PT: Jerusalém é uma cidade única, sagrada para os judeus, os cristãos e os muçulmanos, e tem uma vocação especial à paz. Peço ao Senhor que esta identidade seja preservada e reforçada em benefício da Terra Santa, do Oriente Médio e do mundo inteiro. ES: Jerusalén es una ciudad única, sagrada para los judíos, los cristianos y los musulmanes, y tiene una vocación especial a la paz. Ruego al Señor que esta identidad se conserve y refuerce en beneficio de Tierra Santa, de Oriente Medio y del mundo entero. IT: Gerusalemme è una città unica, sacra per gli ebrei, i cristiani e i musulmani, ed ha una vocazione speciale alla pace. Prego il Signore che tale identità sia preservata e rafforzata a beneficio della Terra Santa, del Medio Oriente e del mondo intero. FR: Jérusalem est une ville unique, sacrée pour les juifs, les chrétiens et les musulmans, et a une vocation spéciale à la paix. Je prie le Seigneur pour que cette identité soit préservée et renforcée au bénéfice de la Terre Sainte, du Moyen-Orient et du monde entier. #Jerusalem, #prayer, #oración, #oração, #preghiera, #prière, #tb

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