Respect ‘status quo’ of Jerusalem, says Pope in response to Donald Trump move

Francis called for all to honour United Nations resolutions on the city, which is sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims.

By: Reuters | Vatican City | Published: December 6, 2017 5:03 pm

jerusalem, israel, donald trump, pope francis, palestine, world news

Pope Francis delivers a blessing in the Vatican on Sunday. (Photo: AP)

Pope Francis, speaking hours before U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement on Jerusalem, called on Wednesday for the city’s “status quo” to be respected, saying new tension in the Middle East would further inflame world conflicts. Trump is due on Wednesday to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and set in motion the relocation of the U.S. Embassy to the ancient city, senior U.S. officials said, a decision that upends decades of U.S. policy and risks fuelling further violence in the Middle East.