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On Wednesday, the Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin defended the right of Palestinians to a “sovereign and independent” homeland, saying that he hoped that the Pope’s upcoming visit will lead to a “courageous decision” for peace. Cardinal Parolin’s role in the Vatican is equivalent to that of a country’s Prime Minister.
“We know that the pope is going to a particularly suffering land”, the Cardinal said on television ahead of Pope Francis’ three-day visit to the holy land that begins on Saturday. “I really hope that the fruit will be to help politicians and all people of good will take courageous decisions on the path to peace”, he said in an interview posted on the Vatican Radio website.
When asked about particular points the Pope will speak about during his visit amidst stalled peace talks between Israel and Palestine, the cardinal said that the Pope’s message would be in line with current Vatican policy. “On the one hand, Israel’s right to exist in peace and security within internationally recognized boundaries. And the Palestinian people’s right to have a homeland, sovereign and independent, the right to move around freely, the right to live in dignity”, he said.
The Pope first heads to Jordan on Saturday, where he is set to meet Syrian refugees. He will then go to Bethlehem in West Bank on Sunday and to Jerusalem, where he is expected to visit holy sites and hold a prayer for worldwide Christian unity.
Pope Francis will fly to Bethlehem directly from Jordan by helicopter. According to normal diplomatic protocol – one would have to pass through Israel before heading to Bethlehem. This will be the first time someone will override the protocol. The move has angered Israelis and been cheered by Palestinians. The Vatican in 2012 recognized the Palestinian Territories as “State of Palestine”, incurring Israeli ire in the process for appearing to take the side of the Palestinians.