Pope Francis defended the "status quo" of the city hours before Trump's speech, saying: "Jerusalem is a unique city, sacred for Jews, Christians and Muslims.
"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it." Zechariah 12:2,3 (KJV)
EDITOR'S NOTE: As President Trump prepares to declare Jerusalem as the capital of Israel later today, Pope Francis chimed in with a prayer of his own. The Pope's prayer is that Jerusalem, a place that God says is the eternal capital of the Jewish land of Israel, remain a divided region and not be subject to Jewish rule or authority. When he says that he wants the "status quo to remain" he is saying he wants it to remain divided and out of Israeli control. Don't you just love it when the Catholic king says and does things to reveal that he sides with Antichrist? As if there was any question...(SMH)
Pope Francis Wednesday defended the "status quo" of Jerusalem, hours ahead of an announcement by US President Donald Trump in which officials said he will recognize the disputed city as Israel's capital.
"I pray to God that this identity is preserved and reinforced, for the sake of the Holy Land, the Middle East and the whole world, and that wisdom and prudence prevail."
Palestinian terror group Hamas has threatened a "day of rage" on Friday in response to the announcement, releasing a chilling message ordering Palestinians to rise up and send a message to Israel.
Israel annexed eastern Jerusalem after winning the Six Day War with Jordan in 1967 but the move was not recognized by the United Nations. Israel regards it as its capital while Palestinian sees the eastern half of the city as the centre of its 'future state'.
"I cannot silence my deep concern over the situation that has emerged in recent days. At the same time, I appeal strongly for all to respect the city's status quo, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions," the pope
said in his weekly address.
Trump is also expected to order the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem but this move could take several years to push through.
The United States would become the first country to make the distinction since Israel was created in 1948. The city has been at the heart of constant and violent conflicts between the nations because it is home to key religious sites holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Trump's move could not only undermine the US administration's fledgling effort, led by his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, but anger the wider international community.
In recent days, the European Union, Germany and France have all implored Trump not to take action on Jerusalem.
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