Pope Francis and King Mohammed VI make appeal for Jerusalem

By Vatican News

Shortly after his arrival in Rabat on Saturday, and following the official welcome ceremony and speeches, Pope Francis signed a special appeal, together with King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

The appeal recognizes the “uniqueness and sacredness of Jerusalem”, and calls for the city to be preserved as a “common heritage of humanity and especially for the faithful of the three monotheistic religions, as a meeting place and symbol of peaceful coexistence, where mutual respect and dialogue are cultivated”.

To this end they ask that "the specific multi-religious character, the spiritual dimension, and the peculiar cultural identity of Jerusalem / Al-Quds Acharif must be preserved and promoted".

"It is our hope, therefore”, concludes the appeal, “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, Creator of all, for a future of peace and fraternity on the earth".

APPEAL BY HIS MAJESTY KING MOHAMMED VI AND HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS REGARDING JERUSALEM / AL-QUDS THE HOLY CITY AND A PLACE OF ENCOUNTER

On the occasion of the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Kingdom of Morocco, His Holiness and His Majesty King Mohammed VI, recognizing the unique and sacred character of Jerusalem / Al-Quds Acharif, and deeply concerned for its spiritual significance and its special vocation as a city of peace, join in making the following appeal:

"We 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."

Rabat, 30 March 2019

His Majesty King Mohammed VI

His Holiness Pope Francis

Amir al-Mu’minin