In today’s homily, Pope Francis urged dialogue with Israel and Palestine and called on them to “rebuild trust,” after violence between the two states escalated in recent days. “I am following with concern the increase in violence that has been taking place for months in the State of Palestine. Last Wednesday there were two vile attacks in Jerusalem and that same day a Palestinian boy died,” the Supreme Pontiff said today during the Angelus.
“Violence kills the future, destroys the lives of the youngest and the hope for peace”
In this regard, Bergoglio referred to the authorities of both nations and urged them to “have in their hearts the search for dialogue to build reciprocal trust without which there will never be a peace solution in the Holy Land.” His Holiness’ request was reminiscent of last week’s events in Jerusalem, when after two explosions at a bus stop, 22 people were injured and a young Canadian-Israeli man died. While Palestine did not claim responsibility for the attack, Israel pointed to the neighboring country as responsible for the tragedy, which was the first bomb attack in that city since 2016.
