Vatican City: Vatican officials insist no political agenda is lurking behind Pope Francis' invitation to the Israeli and Palestinian presidents to pray for peace together in the Vatican gardens. They say no concrete initiatives are expected, the Associated Press reported.
But Sunday's unusual summit - with Jewish, Christian and Muslim prayers intoned in the shadow of St. Peter's Basilica - could take on great significance on the ground.
And it will certainly enhance Francis' reputation as a leader unhindered by diplomatic and theological protocol who is willing to take risks for the sake of peace.
"Peace is a gift of God, but requires our efforts. Let us be people of peace in prayer and deed," Francis tweeted. "Prayer is all-powerful. Let us use it to bring peace to the Middle East and peace to the world."
Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are set to meet at the Vatican for the prayer for peace together.
In one of his boldest political gestures since his election in March, Pope Francis invited the two leaders to come to the Vatican and hold a joint prayer meeting with him during the pontiff's trip to the Holy Land last week.
Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the two had accepted that the meeting would take place on a Sunday afternoon. That morning the pope will be presiding at a Pentacost Sunday service in St Peter's Square.
The pope, who made the surprise invitation at the end of a Mass in Bethlehem last Saturday, told reporters on the plane returning to Rome that he was not getting directly involved in the stalled Mideast peace process, something he said would be "crazy on my part".
But he said he hoped the prayer meeting, which comes after flailing diplomatic efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, would help create an atmosphere that would help the eventual resumption of talks.
"Courage is needed to do this and I am praying to the Lord very much so that these two leaders, these two governments, have the courage to move forward. This is the only path for peace," Francis said on the plane.
The pope said a rabbi and an Islamic official would be present, without giving details.
The meeting is expected to take place in either the guest house where the pope lives in the Vatican or part of the modern complex used for papal general audiences.
When he made the invitation in Bethlehem, the pope said he was offering his "home" for the meeting.
The offer came just a month after U.S.-led peace talks collapsed amid bitter, mutual recrimination.
It was not clear, however, how the unusual prayer encounter could break decades of mutual mistrust.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the key Israeli decision-maker, will not be at the prayer meeting.
Furthermore, Peres is due to leave office in July.
Comments
| Quick linksNews
National
International
Regional
Politics
Education & Career
Business
Science & Technology
Health
Views & Analysis
The Funny Side
© 2012 Awaz Multimedia & Publications. All rights reserved.
The proposed June 8 visit of US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Desai Biswal, the Obama administration's point person for South and Central Asia, to New Delhi is an indication of the urgency with which the US is keen to mend ties with the Modi.... More
Also Read: 'Automatic US visa for Modi if he becomes Prime Minister'
Islam second largest religion in twenty US statesEarlier census published by ASARB found that on the national level, Islam grew by 1 million followers between 2000 and 2010, according to the census, behind Mormonism, which saw an increase of 1.9 million adherents...... More
Congress and caste parties decimated, whither Indian Muslims?By giving them frontline roles in communal conflicts, the Sangh Parivar has dignified Mochis, Khatiks (fruit sellers), Lohars (blacksmiths), Nayis (barbers), Valmikis (toilet cleaners), dhobis (laundry washers) in large numbers as Hindutva's foot soldiers..... More
Muslim Personal Law Board not against women praying in mosquesIn a welcome change from its earlier stand, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Saturday said it was not opposed if the doors of mosques were thrown open to women for prayers ... More
Also Read: Clamour for reform grows as Muslim panel meets in Jalgaon