The pope's obvious recognition of the danger jihadist Islam constitutes for Christians puts the Vatican, under his leadership, in a position where it could be more interested than it was in the past in working with Israel to secure the Christian holy sites in Jerusalem by supporting Israeli control of the city.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Opportunity is knocking on Israel's door

Jerusalem's former mufti, Akrama Sabri, thundered that believers should be liberating the holy city, not helping its occupier.

ECONOMIST: Muslims and Jerusalem

For much of its first 100 years, the city stood in the shadow of nearby Jerusalem, unable to compete with the capital's holy sites and history.

WSJ: Insider's Guide to Tel Aviv: Middle Eastern Promises | Journal Concierge