Israel Rejects Sovereignty Deal with Vatican
May 15 2014 / 7:44 pmIMEMC – Israel says that it has “no intention” of giving the Vatican sovereignty over a Jerusalem holy site, amid protests by ultra-Orthodox Jews which are marking Pope Francis’ upcoming visit.
“Contrary to rumors in Israel, there is no intention to transfer to the Vatican sovereignty or ownership on the Tomb of David or the Cenacle,” said Zion Evrony, Israel’s ambassador to the Vatican, in a speech obtained on Wednesday, according to Ma’an.
The Cenacle is reputedly the site of Jesus’ last supper, and Pope Francis is planning on holding mass at the Old City site, on Mount Zion.
Jews revere the site as the tomb of King David, and it rests on the ground floor of the very same building.
It is also sacred to Muslims for this reason.