Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message has urged a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as tensions prevail over the US' decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The pope made the call while addressing thousands of Roman Catholics on Christmas Day at the Vatican on Monday. He lamented that children in the Middle-East have continued to suffer because of the sustained tension between Israel and Palestine in the region.
"Let us pray that the will to resume dialogue may prevail between the parties and that a negotiated solution can finally be reached, one that would allow the peaceful coexistence of two states within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders.
"The winds of war are blowing in our world and an outdated model of development continues to produce human, societal and environmental decline."
The Pope delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi (to the city and to the world) message and blessings from the central balcony of the Vatican basilica. He also prayed for an end to the nuclear tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
