SW News:

During the opening ceremony of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, spoke about the Papacy's peace initiatives for the Holy Land.

He said that the Christian community has been there for 2,000 years and that the Friars Minor, a Catholic religious order, have been serving as guardians of the Holy Places related to Jesus' life for around 800 years.

The bishop addressed Jerusalem's administration after reiterating the Holy See's support for a two-state solution. Jerusalem, which is adored by Christians, Jews, and Muslims, may be a place where different religions may coexist with tolerance and compassion.

Furthermore, he called for Jerusalem to be designated as a "City of Encounter" and to be granted "an internationally agreed special statute," something the permanent observer Holy See has long supported.

Archbishop Gallagher also stressed the need to protect civilian populations and take into account the legitimate interests of all parties participating in any peace effort.

The Vatican Secretary also denounced intolerance in Jerusalem, including acts by Jewish extremists against Christians, and urged all nations, including Israel, to do the same.

Atrocities against Christians, he believes, must be punished and avoided via a culture of brotherhood.

Archbishop Gallagher also mentioned Pope Francis' repeated calls for dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians in his concluding comments.

Due to competing geographical claims, Israel and Palestine are at odds; Jews regard the region as their biblical heritage, while Palestinians desire to exercise their right to self-determination. Despite repeated attempts, no progress has been made on a peace treaty between the two countries.D