The Significance of a Vatican Peace Summit

Leaders from Israel and the Palestinian Authority met at the Vatican for a Peace Summit yesterday. It was a significant moment, although one would be quite naive to believe it will change things overnight.
       Nonetheless, the time of prayer initiated by Pope Francis was far better than the alternative - violence and hatred.
       So what matters in all of this? Several things:
       First, an Israeli leader showed up! My friends who care deeply for the Palestinians critiqued the Israelis for their muted response when the Pope first extended the invitation to both sides. The Palestinians quickly accepted the invitation, the Israelis initially said nothing. But yesterday President Shimon Peres was there. Let's give the Israelis some credit, folks.
       Second, the Palestinian leader Mr. Abbas chose not to talk about the "occupation," at least he did not use the word. If nothing else this is wise politics and he showed restraint. He also did not mention anything about the new alliance between Fatah and Hamas - another smart move.

       Third, the Pope invited the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew to the Prayer Summit. No big deal? In the Christian world this is a HUGE deal. The Catholics and Orthodox have a split (called a schism) that's about a thousand years old. They have been fighting for a long time! Francis and Bartholomew found it important enough to put aside their differences because peace is more important.
       I wonder what Mr. Peres and Mr. Abbas thought about the heads of two feuding Christian sects coming together to pray for the Israelis and Palestinians? What I do know is that whatever we want to happen we must model in our own lives. Francis and Bartholomew did just that.
       Fourth, then there is Pope Francis. My friend Ellen uses the hashtag #popecrush when she tweets about him. I wish I had come up with that first! (although I might start a controversy because people might think I am gay) While I might not agree with everything the Pope has done, Francis exhibits two qualities that trump everything else: INTEGRITY and HUMILITY. He has demonstrated both over and over again. This is the sign of a great leader.
       I believe that the Pope called this Prayer Summit because he believes that the God he prays to actually changes things. He believes that his God does miracles even today. And when peace (Shalom/Saleem) comes to the Israelis and Palestinians it will be nothing less than a tremendous miracle.