Francis expressed a “heartfelt appeal for moderation and dialogue” and offered prayers for peace.In a meeting at the Vatican with the Ambassador of Palestine, Issa Kassissieh, on July 25, 2017, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, confirmed the support of the Holy See for the preservation of the legal status quo in Jerusalem, reported the Italian daily La Stampa on July 27.
In this way, Archbishop Gallagher reaffirmed the Church’s desire to support religious freedom and access to holy sites for the three great religions. On this occasion, the prelate also mentioned the prayers of Pope Francis and other officials at the Holy See, who are concerned about the current situation in Jerusalem.
On July 21, conflicts erupted after Israeli security forces installed metal detectors at the entrance to the Esplanade of the Mosques. During that day of deadly clashes, three Palestinians and three Israelis died. During the night between the 24th and the 25th of July, the metal detectors were finally removed.
During the Angelus on July 23, Francis expressed a “heartfelt appeal for moderation and dialogue” and invited the faithful to pray for “reconciliation and peace.” AH
