Dialogue, not revenge, must prevail in the Holy Land, pope says February 27, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Rather than foment hate and seek revenge, Palestinians and Israelis need to engage in dialogue in the pursuit of peace, Pope Francis said. After praying the Angelus with an estimated 20,000 visitors in St. Peter’s Square Feb. 26, the pope prayed in a special way for those in the Holy Land to “find the way of brotherhood and peace with the aid of the international community.” Visitors hold Ukrainian and Polish flags in St. Peter’s Square while praying the Angelus with Pope Francis Feb. 26, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) Israeli and Palestinian authorities published a joint statement to that end Feb. 26 after a meeting in Aqaba, Jordan, that brought together the security chiefs of both countries for the first time in several years, along with senior U.S., Egyptian and Jordanian officials. In the statement, both sides reaffirmed the need for “de-escalation on the ground” to prevent further violence and Israel committed to suspend Israeli settlement in the West Bank for a period of four months — a major source of tension for Palestinians who want to establish an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. “How to stop this spiral of violence?” the pope asked Feb. 26. “I renew my call for dialogue to prevail over hate and revenge.” At least 62 Palestinians and 12 Israelis have been killed this year according to reports by the Palestinian Authority and Israeli foreign ministries, outpacing violence in the Holy Land last year which was the bloodiest on record. Pope Francis also expressed his concern over recent terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso, where Islamic extremists took responsibility for killing more than 70 soldiers and taking five hostages in an attack on a military convoy Feb. 24. On the first Sunday of Lent, the pope reflected on the day’s Gospel reading from St. Matthew in which the devil tests Jesus in the wilderness. He explained that Jesus does not succumb to the devil’s efforts to tempt him and instead responds with the word of God. “You do not argue with the devil,” said the pope, “you do not dialogue with the devil.” He urged Christians to keep Scripture at the center of their lives, so that they may turn to it in moments of temptation as Jesus did. Read More Vatican News Find room in your heart for everyone, pope tells new bishops Belarusian Catholic dissident returns home, urges prayers for imprisoned following papal audience Peruvian city to unveil world’s tallest statue of Pope Leo for trip to South America Pope Leo XIV asks Our Lady of Good Counsel for aid to make ‘courageous and wise decisions’ Pope Leo expresses hope Ukraine, Russia negotiations bear fruit Pope Leo XIV says Christians in the Middle East offer a ‘precious testimony for the entire Church’ Copyright © 2023 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
