Palestinian president meets with Pope
May 18, 2015
Pope Francis received Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in audience on May 16, one day before the canonization of two Palestinian nuns.
During the meeting, “great satisfaction was expressed” on the recent bilateral agreement “on various essential aspects of the life and the activity of the Catholic Church in Palestine,” according to the Holy See Press Office.
“Attention then turned to the peace process with Israel, and the hope was expressed that direct negotiations between the Parties be resumed in order to find a just and lasting solution to the conflict,” the press office continued. “To this end the wish was reiterated that, with the support of the international Community, Israelis and Palestinians may take with determination courageous decisions to promote peace. Finally, with reference to the conflicts that afflict the Middle East, and in reaffirming the importance of combating terrorism, the need for interreligious dialogue was underlined.”
The Pope presented President Abbas with a copy of his apostolic exhortation on proclaiming the Gospel, as well as a medallion of an angel of peace.
The Associated Press reported that the Pope told Abbas, “You are an angel of peace”; however, other news agencies reported that the Pope said, “May you be an angel of peace.”
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Further information:
- Comunicato della Sala Stampa della Santa Sede: Udienza al Presidente dello Stato di Palestina, 16.05.2015 (Holy See Press Office)
- Pope, Palestinian President express hopes for peace (Zenit)
- Pope calls Palestinian leader "angel of peace" during visit (AP)
- Pope Francis Did Not Call Abbas an ‘Angel of Peace’ (National Review)
- Vatican recognizes Palestinian state (CWN, 5/13)
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