The pope said the international community must take "a more determined role on the ground." International mediation, he continued, was required to create "the conditions for a fruitful dialogue between the two sides." The Palestinians have long sought international protection, but the Israelis have rejected such proposals, saying that outside peacekeeping forces would not stop Palestinian attacks.

This comes on the heels of a proposal at the July meeting of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe that Jerusalem be put under the control of an international consortium. Italian parliamentarian Marcello Pacini put forward the resolution out of fears that the Israelis, under international pressure, may eventually cede control of Christian holy sites to Muslim authorities. Yasir Arafat has already claimed guardianship of both Muslim and Christian holy sites in Old Jerusalem. The Israeli observer delegation at the OSCE meeting convinced Mr. Pacini to withdraw the resolution because they saw it as "problematic for Israel."

Keep watching Jerusalem, which is destined to become the center of world conflict (Zechariah 12:1-3). Major involvement by Europe, the Vatican and the Muslim world are all prophesied for the Holy City. (Sources: BBC.com, CNSNews.com.)