Pope Francis defends preserving Jerusalem's historical status quo

London: The Palestinian News and Information Agency has reported that Pope Francis has advocated for the preservation of the present-day political and legal situation in occupied Jerusalem, Arab News reported.

Pope Francis expressed alarm over the rise in violence in Jerusalem during his annual meeting with the diplomatic corps accredited to Vatican City on Monday.

He observed that Jerusalem is a holy city for all three of the monotheistic religions, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity and that it should serve as a forum for peace rather than a theatre of conflict.

In accordance with international law and pertinent UN decisions, he hoped that direct negotiations between the Israeli and Palestinian sides would resume in order to fulfil the two-state vision.

During the meeting, Issa Kassissieh, the ambassador of Palestine to the Holy See, welcomed the pope on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas and urged him to continue praying for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination as well as justice and peace in Jerusalem.