Palestinian leader thanks Pope for diplomatic efforts

December 17, 2012

Pope Benedict XVI met on December 17 with President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, who expressed gratitude for the Vatican’s public stand in favor of a Palestinian representation at the UN.

After the UN’s General Assembly voted to grant the Palestinian Authority the status of a non-observer member state, the Holy See issued a statement welcoming the decision and quoting Pope Benedict’s earlier remark that the “the Palestinian people have a right to a sovereign independent homeland.”

In a new statement released after the Pope’s meeting with Abbas, the Vatican voiced the hope that the UN action would “encourage the commitment of the international community to finding a fair and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which may be reached only by resuming negotiations between the Parties, in good faith and according due respect to the rights of both.”

 

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Further information:

• Audience with President of the Palestinian Authority (VIS)
• Pope receives Palestinian President (Vatican Radio)
• Vatican hopes UN Palestinian vote brings peace (AP)
• Holy See welcomes UN recognition of Palestine (CWN, 11/30)