Pope meets Palestinian leader; Vatican calls Jerusalem holy

By NICOLE WINFIELD
Associated Press

AP Photo/Andrew Medichini

Latest News Boston's archbishop joins Vatican office on clergy sex abuse Pope meets Palestinian leader; Vatican calls Jerusalem holy Pope extends overhaul of Vatican's liturgy department Malta church goes beyond pope in remarriage guidelines Jude Law stars as a disruptive pontiff in HBO's 'Young Pope'

Multimedia Assault on Gaza: Mapping the attacks Gaza assault takes its toll on children A closer look at Hamas Latest News Israeli minister says Trump offers Palestinians fresh start Israel says Nazi camp excavations unearth link to Anne Frank Israel responds to shooting attack with strike on Hamas post Syria says Israeli missiles struck near military airport Israeli media: Police question Netanyahu's wife amid scandal

Multimedia Mass. Catholics hold vigil in endangered churches Convent shuts after helping generations 'overcome' Inside a Voodoo Gede ceremony Religion News Boston's archbishop joins Vatican office on clergy sex abuse South Carolina pastor hopes Clemson fans join him to worship Pope meets Palestinian leader; Vatican calls Jerusalem holy Pope extends overhaul of Vatican's liturgy department Activists call for weekend of supporting Muslim-owned shops Malta church goes beyond pope in remarriage guidelines Hundreds protest transfer of Russian landmark to church Vatican seeks youth input for upcoming meeting of bishops Ex-Cleveland Catholic Charities employee admits to $2M theft Bond reduced for man charged in 'Vote Trump' church burning

Interactive West Bank road

VATICAN CITY (AP) -- The Vatican stressed the sacred nature of Jerusalem on Saturday as the Palestinian leader warned that prospects for peace could suffer if the incoming Trump administration goes ahead with plans to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The developments came as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Pope Francis and inaugurated the Palestinian embassy to the Holy See.

Abbas said he had only heard through news reports of the proposal by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to move the embassy to Jerusalem.

The Palestinians strongly oppose the embassy move, saying it would kill any hopes for negotiating an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement and rile the region by undercutting Muslim and Christian claims to the holy city.

"We hope that this news is not true, because it is not encouraging and will disrupt and hinder the peace process," he said. He urged Trump to open a dialogue with both Israelis and Palestinians.