Councilman King announces he will not join Jerusalem officials welcoming Pope, unless ‘he returns Jewish treasures from Vatican basement.’

Pope Francis is due to arrive in Israel on May 25, but Councilman Aryeh King has made clear that he will not be among the Jerusalem officials welcoming the Catholic leader.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat is expected to greet the Pope on Mount Scopus during the visit, and Barkat’s office has sent messages to members of the city council inviting them to join in welcoming the Pope.

King, chairman of the “United Jerusalem” faction, responded by mail to Barkat’s office and the other council members, declaring that he will not join them.

“I won’t come, unless (the Pope) will bring in his suitcase the treasures of the Jewish people that were stolen by his predecessors, treasures that today are located in the Vatican’s basement,” remarked King.

Several treasures from the destroyed Holy Temple in Jerusalem are believed to have been brought to Rome; indeed the Arch of Titus in Rome, erected shortly after the death of Emperor Titus in 81 AD, clearly depicts Roman soldiers bringing to Rome the golden candelabrum and other Temple artifacts.

The treasures reportedly remained on public display between 75 CE and the early 5th century in the Temple of Peace in Rome’s Forum. Jews have requested access to the Vatican’s storehouses to ascertain whether the treasures are still there.

The councilman added “without the return of our people’s possessions, I see in the (Pope’s) visit an unprecedented insolence.”

Comments

comments