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Pope Francis Intends to Visit Jerusalem Again

Pope Francis waves from his Papamobile at St. Louis Catholic Church in Bangkok, Thailand November 21, 2019. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo
Pope Francis waves from his Papamobile at St. Louis Catholic Church in Bangkok, Thailand November 21, 2019. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo
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Pope Francis Intends to Visit Jerusalem Again

Pope Francis waves from his Papamobile at St. Louis Catholic Church in Bangkok, Thailand November 21, 2019. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo
Pope Francis waves from his Papamobile at St. Louis Catholic Church in Bangkok, Thailand November 21, 2019. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo

At the end of his visit to the Vatican, the mayor of Nazareth, Ali Salam, announced that Pope Francis intends to make a second visit to the Holy Land during the next year, at the invitation of the Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

He added that the Pope would hold prayers in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth, in order to push the peace process in the Middle East.

Salam said he felt the Pope’s avid desire to advance the peace process. He also noted that sources in the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government have informed him that contacts were underway between the two sides with the Vatican, to coordinate the date of the visit and its detailed program.

Stressing the possibility of organizing the trip in 2020, Salam revealed that the date was yet to be set.

The mayor of Nazareth met Pope Francis in the Vatican on Thursday, in response to an official invitation from the Vatican.

According to a statement issued by the municipality, Salam spoke with His Holiness the Pope about Nazareth, and its importance as the largest Palestinian Arab city in Israel and where Jesus lived the longest period of his life.

He also invited Pope Francis to visit the city and invite Christian pilgrims to discover the region.

Pope Francis conducted his first visit to the holy Palestinian territories in 2014.

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Arab World

Grundberg Concludes Visit to Sanaa, Urges Houthis to Deescalate Tensions, Release Detainees

Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
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Grundberg Concludes Visit to Sanaa, Urges Houthis to Deescalate Tensions, Release Detainees

Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)

The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, urged on Thursday Houthi leaders to reduce national and regional escalation and release the detained UN staff and other humanitarian personnel.
The envoy stressed his determination to safeguard the progress made to date on the peace roadmap, which has been frozen since Houthis have stepped up their attacks against shipping routes in the Red Sea corridor.
Grundberg’s comments came on Thursday as he concluded a visit to Sanaa, his first to the Yemeni capital since May 2023.
The visit comes amid hopes that his efforts would prepare the ground for concrete actions for advancing the peace process in the country.
In a statement, Grundberg said he held discussions with senior political and military officials to renew engagement on the political process, focusing on addressing challenges and exploring possibilities for advancing peace within the region’s complex context.
During his meetings with Houthi leaders, the special envoy stressed the importance of national and regional de-escalation to foster an environment conducive to dialogue.
He urged the need for concrete actions to pave the way forward for a political process to achieve sustainable peace and stability across Yemen.
Grundberg’s discussions also highlighted the importance of taking steps to address economic challenges and improve living conditions, while simultaneously advancing preparations for a ceasefire – critical components of the road map and reaching a political resolution that meets the aspirations of Yemenis.
“I am determined to safeguard the progress made to date on the roadmap and keep focus on the prospects for peace in Yemen,” Grundberg noted.
Discussions on the conflict-related detainees file built on the progress made during negotiations held in Oman in July 2024.
The envoy emphasized that the file is vital for confidence building between the parties and advancing previous commitments.
He then underscored the importance of prioritizing this humanitarian issue as a step toward fostering trust that can help enable broader agreements and signal commitment to the peace process.
Protection of Civil Society
The Special Envoy started his visit to Sanaa at the home of the family of his colleague who has been arbitrarily detained by Houthis since June 2024.
He expressed his deepest compassion for what they have been enduring during this difficult period and offered his support, a statement by his office said.
Grundberg then updated the family on the UN efforts to secure the release of all arbitrarily detained personnel.
He also expressed solidarity with the families of the other detainees, acknowledging their shared anguish and the urgent need for their loved ones' release.
In all his discussions, the envoy strongly urged Houthis to release immediately and unconditionally the detained personnel from the UN, NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions.
Grundberg then echoed the Secretary General’s message that the arbitrary detentions are unacceptable and constitute a violation of international law.
“We must protect the role of civil society and humanitarian personnel. They make vital contributions to peace and rebuilding Yemen,” stated the Special Envoy.
Grundberg arrived in Yemen after holding talks with Omani officials in Muscat. Present at the talks was Houthi spokesman and chief negotiator Mohammed Abdelsalam.
The envoy is hoping to make a breakthrough in the Yemeni crisis after his efforts stalled with the Houthis launching their attacks on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping routes.
The Visit’s Agenda
Grundberg, a Swedish diplomat, is in Sanaa as part of his efforts to push the Houthis to take concrete actions for advancing the peace process.
He will also be pushing for the release of the arbitrarily detained UN personnel and also from other NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions.
The envoy said he plans to conduct a series of national and regional meetings in the coming days under his mediation efforts.