Pope Francis appeals for Israeli-Palestinian dialogue

By Vatican News staff writer

After leading the recitation of the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis said he is following with concern about the increase in violence and fighting that has taken place in the State of Palestine and Israel over the past months. He recalled last Wednesday's appalling attacks in Jerusalem that killed a young Israeli boy and injured many others, while noting that a Palestinian boy died in armed clashes the same day during clashes in Nablus.

The Pope pointed out that violence kills the future, shattering the lives of the young and weakening hopes for peace. He called on everyone to pray "for these young men who died and for their families, especially their mothers."

The Pope also expressed his hopes that the Israeli and Palestinian authorities "will more readily take to heart" the search for dialogue and building mutual trust, essential if there is to be peace in the Holy Land.