Pope, Abbas discuss Jerusalem at first meeting after US embassy move.

VATICAN CITY: The Vatican expressed concern over the status of Jerusalem on Monday as Pope Francis and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held their first meeting since the United States stirred international anxiety by moving its embassy there. The two embraced and kissed on the cheek as the pontiff welcomed Abbas to a library in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace for a private, 20-minute meeting.

"Particular attention was reserved for the status of Jerusalem, underlining the importance of recognizing and preserving its identity and the universal value of the Holy City for the three Abrahamic religions," a Vatican statement said, referring to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. US President Donald Trump outraged the Arab world last year when he reversed decades of policy by recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital and put Washington's embassy there.

It was opened in May. Palestinians, with broad international backing, want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state, while Israel views the whole city its "united and eternal" capital.

The Vatican expressed concern last year at Trump's move, saying the city's "status quo" should be respected. Francis has called for...