Patriarch Theophilus III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine, Israel, Syria, beyond the Jordan River, Cana of Galilee, and Holy Zion, held an unprecedented historic meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican City, the first historic visit of the Patriarch of Jerusalem to the Vatican.
The two sides discussed the issue of Jerusalem, stressing on the importance of the Christian dimension of the holy city and the need to preserve the mosaic as the holy city, is the spiritual capital of the three religions and must preserve the status quo and the decisions of international legitimacy.
In this context, the Patriarch of the Holy City briefed His Holiness Pope Francis on the steps taken by the Patriarchate in order to face the unjust Israeli judicial decision against the patriarchal properties and to confront the plans of the settlement movement, Ateret Cohanim, to thwart and end the Christian presence, especially in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The two sides affirmed in a joint statement issued by the Patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem last month, rejecting Israeli attempts to confiscate church lands, change the status quo, and confiscate and build the separation wall on the Karizman confiscated land belonging to 58 Palestinian Christian families.
His Eminence praised the Hashemite role under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, who supports the Christian presence in the East, as the custodian of Christian and Islamic holy sites in the Holy City.
The Pope said that the lack of commitment to the status quo and lack of understanding between the groups living together in the Holy Land would create clear instability and restriction of the basic rights of the landowners, who would find no solution but to emigrate and leave their lands.
At the end of their meeting, the two sides stressed on the unity of the Christian position and voice in the Holy Land against all violations of the status quo and that the churches will do all they can to preserve their properties and holy sites.
