Extremism is rampant. 'Unfortunately, for some time in Jerusalem, there have been hooligans of Judaism, protagonists of hateful, unpleasant and offensive acts towards us Christians.' Father Nikodemus Schnabel, the Benedictine of German nationality but resident in Jerusalem where he is responsible for several monastic structures, two days ago while walking through the Old City was harassed and threatened by two very young Orthodox Jews who addressed offensive phrases about the Christian religion and Jesus, trying to spit on the pectoral cross he was wearing. The monk contacted by the Messenger has summarized how the story went, partially enclosed in some frames of a film taken from the mobile phone of a German journalist friend who was accompanying him at that time, remaining stunned by so much aggression. 'It all started suddenly, for no reason. Two eighteen-year-old boys or perhaps less or perhaps more, approached me spitting on the pectoral cross and then offending. A phenomenon that is not new to Jerusalem where among men of faith now live intolerant people.'

Has this already happened to you in the past?

'These are unfortunately frequent episodes. If a Christian religious walks through the Old City, it is easy for him to be offended. In some circumstances there were Jews who protected me and defended me. These are hateful acts.'

Did you not lose your calm?

'I took a deep breath and then the police arrived immediately, collecting their names and taking the young people away. I don't know if they were punished, I don't know. It was unpleasant. A shameful thing, Jerusalem is a Holy City for everyone, it is the place of dialogue par excellence.'

And then what happened?

'The Catholic community immediately received the solidarity of the rabbis and also of the Muslims. I repeat: Jerusalem is full of people who cultivate a true faith.'

How do you explain this phenomenon?

'It is filling up with hooligans of faith. People who even for Israel represent a serious problem. They do not accept a pluralistic and multicultural vision in which everyone could live in harmony. I don't know what was going through the heads of these two boys, I just hope they can reflect. I prayed for them and their hearts. They certainly need serious education. My dream remains a Holy City where you can live, breathe, imagine only love, all together.'

Pope Francis: 'Whoever builds walls will end up a prisoner of his barriers'