Pope meets Palestinian leader with honors given to head of state

Published: 2007-04-24

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With all the honors usually given to a head of state, Pope Benedict XVI welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican. During their 12-minute private meeting April 24, the two leaders "reviewed the situation in the Middle East," said a Vatican statement. The statement also hailed efforts to restart the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. It also said that in Abbas' meetings with the pope and with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, the situation within the Palestinian territories, including "the difficulties Catholics face and the value of their contribution to that society," was discussed. Cardinal Bertone told reporters later that the Vatican hoped recent changes within the Palestinian government and between Israeli and Palestinian leaders "would bear fruit" and lead to peace.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .