Pope Francis endorses two-state solution for Israel, Palestinians, calls Oslo Accords 'wise'

Pope Francis endorses two-state solution for Israel, Palestinians: 'Wise solution'

Pope Francis endorsed a two-state solution for Israel and Palestinians as "wise" on Wednesday.

Francis called on the two parties to return to the Oslo Accord nearly reached by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian Liberation Organisation leader Yasser Arafat in 1993. The deal would have established a State of Palestine, but Arafat rejected the deal.

"Those are two peoples who have to live together. With that wise solution, two states. The Oslo accords, two well-defined states and Jerusalem with a special status," Francis told and Italian broadcaster.

"The war in the Holy Land frightens me," Francis added. "How will these people end this story?"