Jerusalem:The new French Consul General, Alexis Le Cour Grandmaison, visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and officially entered the Church of Saint Anne as part of France's ongoing diplomatic tradition. This visit underscores France's dedication to protecting holy sites and Christian communities in the Holy Land.
According to Palestine news and Information Agency, the French Consulate General in Jerusalem emphasized that this visit reaffirms France's protection of Latin Catholic communities of French origin. This tradition traces back to privileges established in 1535 between French King Francis I and Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
The consulate highlighted that the consul general's reception at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre adhered to the traditions of the 1852 Status Quo, which governs the rights and obligations of Christian denominations regarding religious rites and property within the church. France, along with Italy, Spain, and Belgium, plays a role in maintaining this arrangement.
Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land accompanied the consul general from Jaffa Gate to the church entrance, where he was welcomed by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land. The procession then moved through the Old City to the French-owned Church of Saint Anne, where a Te Deum service of thanksgiving was held in recognition of France.
In his address, the consul general reaffirmed France's commitment to supporting Eastern Christians and collaborating with historic partners to protect Christian communities and institutions in the Holy Land, promoting peaceful coexistence based on respect and mutual enrichment.