Turkish president heads to Italy to discuss Jerusalem with pope

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan flew to Italy on Sunday ahead of talks with Pope Francis that are expected to center on Jerusalem after U.S. President Donald Trump recognized the holy city as the capital of Israel.

Jerusalem is home to sites holy to the Muslim, Jewish and Christian religions, and Trump’s recent announcement that he would move the U.S. embassy to the city alarmed many allies, who say the decision could doom Middle East peace efforts.

Before leaving Turkey, Erdogan said the United States had isolated itself over Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want to share with the Israelis as their future capital.

“In the process ahead, come on and accept Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. This is the point that is to be reached. We are now working for this,” he told reporters in Istanbul.

Erdogan is due to see the pope on Monday in what will be the first visit to the Vatican by a Turkish president in 59 years.

The two men are also expected to discuss the situation in Syria and Iraq as well as humanitarian aid and refugees. - Read More

Turkish president heads to Italy to discuss Jerusalem with pope | Reuter

Turkey's Erdogan: Jerusalem is 'my top priority' in meeting with Pope ...

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