Pope Francis urged for unrestricted access to Jerusalem’s sacred sites during his annual Easter message on Sunday, amid simmering tensions between Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy City.

“May there be peace in the Middle East, which has been wracked by strife and division for years. Let us pray for Jerusalem’s peace and the peace of all those who love her, Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike, on this magnificent day. May Israelis, Palestinians, and everyone who live in the Holy City, together with pilgrims, experience the beauty of peace, live in fraternity, and have unrestricted access to the Holy Places in accordance with each other’s rights,” Pope stated.

Ten protesters were injured Sunday morning in skirmishes between Palestinian protestors and Israeli police in and around Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, the site of severe riots two days earlier, authorities said.

The newest tensions in Jerusalem occur as all three Abrahamic faiths observe important festivals: Passover for Jews, Easter for Christians, and Ramadan for Muslims.

Following weeks of rising tensions, Palestinians carried out two deadly assaults in or near Tel Aviv, Israel’s seaside city, in late March and early April, as well as huge arrests by Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank.

For the latest International News Follow BOL News on Google News. Read more on Latest International News on oldsite.bolnews.com