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We seek to keep you literally "updated" on movement in terms of truth and justice in the Middle East in general with a particular eye on Palestine. The links below will take you to various articles and websites that offer the perspective of leaders in the religious, NGO, and human rights communities. Additionally, Al-Bushra, ever vigilant, provides links to regular reporting as well as opinion pieces by journalists. The dates given here indicate when the link was posted; the most recent posting is at the top. Check the article itself for the date the information was released by the source.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Pope Tells Child Refugees That Violence Can Only Be Overcome With Peace

Pope Francis: "Never ever allow the past to determine your lives"


Bethlehem, (Zenit.org)


Pope Francis today met with child refugees, telling them that violence is not overcome with violence, but with peace.

The Holy Father met this afternoon during his time in Bethlehem with a small group of youth and child refugees in the Dehiyshe Refugee Camp's Phoenix Cultural Center.

Two children in traditional clothes greeted the Holy Father at the entrance of the center, giving him flowers.
The young people, seated in chairs in a big circle, each wearing a white T-shirt and white cap, had signs about freedom, peace and justice, printed on sheets of white paper in various languages.
A boy told the Holy Father that they were the "children of Palestine" who had been born in a situation of occupation.

After the children sang for the Pope and he thanked them for their "very beautiful" songs, he gave them a quick message, speaking in Spanish, as a friar translated.

He told them, "I understand what you are saying, the message that you are giving me."

"Never ever allow the past to determine your lives," the Pope continued. "Always look forward. Work and fight to bring about what you want.

"But, know this: Violence is not overcome with violence. Violence is overcome with peace. With peace, with work, with the dignity of furthering your homeland.

"Thank you for welcoming me. And I ask God to bless you. And I ask you to pray for me. Thank you."

The Pope visited the refugee center before this evening leaving Bethlehem for Tel Aviv. Earlier, he made a surprise stop at the wall separating Israel from the Palestinian Territories, pressing his forehead against the wall for a moment of prayer.




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