VATICAN CITY: Pope Paul VI today [Aug 31] “strongly deplored” the burning of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and expressed fears that the current events bear a strong resemblance to those leading to World War Two.

Speaking in his summer residence at Castelgandoleo, the Pope said the Middle-East was “in such a state of tension and conflict that it can be feared that after the very brief war of 1967, other explosions may occur which could last for an unforeseeable period and spread unpredictably. We have the feeling, in meditating events in the past few days, that instead of being a prelude to peaceful solutions, they renew in some ways the broad symptoms which preceded 30 years ago the start of World War Two.”

He continued: “The Al-Aqsa episode, which we strongly deplore, has come to lengthen the painful list of the perturbations in this region — the fire which damaged the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Holy City of the Jerusalem where the holy places of the three great monotheistic religions are located. ... We would like to implore the Governments and peoples... to make every effort to avoid, while there is still time, the first incautious steps which would slither down the tragic path to new wars and new destruction.”

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2019