Pope Francis visits al-Aqsa Mosque

Pope Francis visited Al-Aqsa Mosque on Monday and met with noteable Muslim figures, including Jerusalem's Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, along with Christian icons. Israel is continuously attacking the Mosque, which has a major significance to the Islamic world, and preventing Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip from praying in it, said Sheikh Hussein during his reception of the Pope. The country will not see peace if Israel continues its provocative actions and occupation, he noted, calling on the Pope to help put an end to the attacks and enable both Muslims and Christians to perform their religious rites freely. Moreover, the Grand Mufti praised the Vatican's support for Palestinian refugees, hoping the Pope would also pressure Israel to release Palestinian prisoners. The Pope on his part said he has come all the way for pilgrimage, noting that it is also an opportunity to meet Muslims and Christians to unite in facing challenges. All sides must cooperate to achieve peace and justice, and stop violence used in the name of God, he added. Pope Francis headed to the Western Wall after he concluded his visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque, and will also visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, Mount Herzl, and meet Jewish religious men along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres. On Sunday, the Pope had invited the Palestinian and Israeli leaders to visit the Vatican during a mass he held at the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has accepted the invitation and will head to the Vatican next June, said Palestinian authority spokesman Nabil Abu Rodaina. Abbas' acceptance was due to the fact that Pope Francis aims at creating peace and stability in the Middle East, Rodaina told the Palestine News and Info Agency (WAFA). Moreover, the Pope also met with President Abbas and several Palestinian families and children and visited the Israeli West Bank barrier. Source: KUNA