Pope Francis has signed a joint appeal with Morocco’s King Mohammed VI to protect the status quo of Jerusalem as a place of worship for the followers of the monotheistic faiths. The Holy See has long supported a two-state solution in the Middle East, and supports the international community’s position that Jerusalem is a city of religious and political importance that transcends any one state.

“We consider it important to preserve the Holy City of Jerusalem/Al-Quds Acharif as the common patrimony of humanity and especially the followers of the three monotheistic religions as a place of encounter and as a symbol of peaceful coexistence,” Pope Francis and King Mohammed wrote in their appeal signed in Rabat, 30 March, during Francis’ visit to Morocco.

“To this end, the specific multi-religious character, the spiritual dimension and the particular cultural identity of Jerusalem/Al-Quds Acharif must be protected and promoted.”

The appeal implicitly recognises the international concern about the status of Jerusalem following the President of the United States’ unilateral decision to recognise the city as Israel’s capital, a sore topic for Palestinians who want East Jerusalem as the capital for their future independent state.