COMMUNIQUE – May 20, 2014 – The President of the State of Palestine, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, issued a statement in which he welcomed the Pope Francis who is expected by the Palestinian people in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, with all the proper respect to his dignity and the message of love and peace he brings.
Dear brothers and sisters,
On the occasion of the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis in Palestine, I am delighted to welcome him to the Holy Land, where the Palestinian people will welcome him in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, with all due respect proper to his dignity, and his message of love and peace.
The Palestinian people, Muslim and Christian, never forget the positions of the Vatican since the “Nakba” (Ed: literally “Catastrophe”) of 1948, when it encouraged the defense of their rights.
We look to the day when there is peace in our country, when the occupation ceases and our independent Palestinian state is born. A sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Welcome therefore to the Great Guest of our country, the Holy Land, the birthplace of religions and messages of love and peace on earth.
By Wafa
