Israeli/Palestinian Peace: Pope Benedict's and Holy Land's hopes

Pope Benedict says he hopes a new round Jordan-brokered peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians will “be maintained” and “will lead to a lasting peace.”
Speaking to diplomats gathered in the Vatican on January 9^th for the Pope’s annual State of the World discourse, the Holy Father reiterated his hope that such a peace will guarantee “the right of the two peoples to dwell in security in sovereign states and within secure and internationally recognized borders.”

The Pope also urged the international community to “become more creative in developing initiatives which promote this peace process and are respectful of the rights of both parties.”

Fr. David Neuhaus is no newcomer to the problems of a Holy Land in conflict. From a Jewish Israeli family, Fr. David is now a Catholic priest who cares for the Hebrew speaking Catholic community in the Holy Land. He tells Philippa Hitchen Christians must keep up their hope that political leaders will find a solution to the decades-old conflict and that religious leaders and educators should be more aware of their own role in creating a peaceful world.

“We certainly need to be aware of the very important role we can play in speaking responsibly…we are certainly people who are educating other people. What we need to be aware of is that the words that come out of our mouths create worlds. And those words need to be poised, prudent, wise and of course when it comes to us as Christian leaders, evangelical – full of respect and love for others, hope.”

Fr. Neuhaus also speaks of the growing polarization of Israeli society over the Jewish identity and democracy of the State.

Listen to Philippa Hitchen’s interview with Fr. Neuhaus: