Vatican 'prayer summit' for Israel-Palestinian peace could occur soon

May 26, 2014

Israeli and Palestinian leaders are expected to pray together at the Vatican, in answer to a dramatic invitation from Pope Francis, sometime soon—perhaps in early June.

During his visit to Jerusalem, the Pope issued an invitation to Israeli President Shimon Peres and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas to travel to Rome to pray together for peace. Both leaders have accepted the invitation.

Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, told Vatican Radio that he hopes the historic encounter will occur very soon. Informed sources suggested that the meeting could take place during the first week of June. Vatican officials are awaiting formal confirmation of the plans by Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

 

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Further information:

• Lombardi: Vatican meeting with Peres and Abbas to take place soon (Vatican Radio)
• Pope invites Israeli, Palestinian presidents to Vatican to pray for peace (CWN, 5/25)