Pope in Morocco: Appeal for Jerusalem

Common document of Francis and King Mohammed VI to safeguard "common heritage" of humanity of the Holy City, in which the right of Christians, Muslims and Jews to exercise their faith is guaranteed.

Rabat (AsiaNews) - An appeal to safeguard Jerusalem's "shared heritage" for humanity in which the right of Jews, Christians and Muslims to exercise their cult is guaranteed was launched today by Pope Francis and King Mohammed VI at the end of Francis' visit to the king.

The appeal is a clear, though not explicit, reply to the statements of Israeli government leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Israel's "perpetual capital" of Israel and support for this claim by US president Donald Trump.

"We - reads appeal of the Pope and the King of Morocco - consider it important to preserve the Holy City of Jerusalem / Al-Quds Acharif as the common patrimony of humanity and especially the followers of the three monotheistic religions, as a place of encounter and as a symbol of peaceful coexistence, where mutual respect and dialogue can be cultivated.

"To this end, the specific multi-religious character, the spiritual dimension and the particular cultural identity of Jerusalem / Al-Quds Acharif must be protected and promoted.

"It is our hope, therefore, that in the Holy City, full freedom of access to the followers of the three monotheistic religions and their right to worship will be guaranteed, so that in Jerusalem / Al-Quds Acharif they may raise their prayers to God, the Creator of all, for a future of peace and fraternity on the earth."

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