Pope Francis met with Israeli President Shimon Peres who warned him that “the Middle East is ‘disintegrating’ and that the pontiff ‘has an important role’ to play in bringing peace to the region and the world.” Peres told the Pope that the Middle East is in severe lack of employment, of food and water and that it is in an “existential danger” of “violence and terror… as dangerous weapons fall into the hands of extremists.”
He also discussed Iran’s quest to acquire nuclear weapons, and Syria’s “huge quantities of chemical weapons,” and expressed hope for a speedy resumption of peace talks. The Vatican said that a “resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would contribute to peace and stability throughout the region.”
Perez praised Pope Francis for his humility and pursuit of peace. “You have an important role in progressing peace and the belief in it,” Peres said. “I turn to you and ask that within your sermons in front of millions of believers in the world you include the hope for peace in the Middle East and the whole world.”
He said the Pope’s leadership “creates a new spirit of hope for peace, of dialogue between nations and of the promotion of a solution to global poverty and illiteracy.”
Clearly Perez, the leader of Israel is looking to the pope to broker peace in the Middle East and the world. He even invited the pope to visit Israel. “I am expecting you in Jerusalem and not just me, but all the people of Israel,” he told the Pope. “The sooner you visit the better, as in these days a new opportunity is being created for peace, and your arrival could contribute significantly to increasing the trust and belief in peace.”
“And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify [himself] in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.” Daniel 8:25