Pope meets Netanyahu; peace talks, papal pilgrimage top agenda
December 02, 2013
After Pope Francis met on December 2 with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Vatican stressed the importance of resuming Israeli-Palestinian talks.
The Pope’s conversation with Netanyahu also touched on the broader situation in the Middle East, and the relations between the Israeli government and Catholic institutions in the Holy Land.
The Pope also spoke with the Israeli leader about his plan to visit Israel in 2014. The Vatican has not yet indicated when that visit will take place, but Israeli officials have suggested that May 25-26 are the most likely dates. As the Pope met informally with the Israeli delegation following his private session with the prime minister, Mrs. Netanyahu told him: “We are expecting you; we can’t wait.”
This was Netanyahu’s first meeting with Pope Francis. Plans for an earlier meeting, in October, were postponed because of scheduling conflicts at the Vatican.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Audience with the Prime Minister of Israel: Special Attention to the Resumption of Negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians (VIS)
- Pope Francis meets with Netanyahu at Vatican (CNN)
- Netanyahu meets Pope Francis in the Vatican (Haaretz)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
