Israelsk-palestinske spenninger synlige i møte med paven

JERUSALEM (CWNews.com) - Despite political tensions that broke through the surface of an interfaith meeting in Jerusalem on March 24, the spokesman for Pope John Paul II insisted that the event had brought positive results.

Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the head of the Vatican press office, told reporters that Pope John Paul II had been keenly aware of the tensions that surrounded the meeting, which was held at the Notre Dame Institute just outside the walled Old City.

Those tensions became obvious when Rabbi Meir Lau, the head of the Ashkenazic community in the city, thanked the Pope for "recognizing Jerusalem as the eternal capital of Israel." Someone quickly interjected: "That's not true; he didn't say that."

An Islamic leader, Taizir al Tamin, then angrily claimed that Jerusalem is "the eternal capital of Muslims and Palestinians." He then abruptly left the meeting, saying that he did not wish to be late for his prayers.

"The meeting was approached with a great deal of realism," Navarro- Valls assured reporters. He added that the open clashes showed a real desire to expose contentious issues-- which would be necessary in order to resolve them. The papal spokesman observed that in some such meetings, the participants speak of "a theoretical peace" without addressing the real difficulties.

As for the specific focus of the shouting match between the Jewish and Muslim leaders, Navarro-Valls continued: "While the Pope is aware of these problems, it is not up to him to propose political solutions." He reminded the press that the Pope's aim, in coming to the Holy Land, was to make a spiritual pilgrimage.

Catholic World News Service - Vatican Update