Pope Benedict XVI (archive photo)
צילום: איי אף פי
Pope, Abbas hail moves to revive Mideast peace process
Benedict XVI, Palestinian president discuss ways to relaunch peace process with Israel
Pope Benedict XVI and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday hailed moves to revive the Middle East peace process, a Vatican statement said.
The two, in a "cordial" meeting, "in particular appreciated the commitment, thanks also to the help of the international community, to the relaunching of the peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians," the statement said.
The pope and Abbas also "discussed the internal Palestinian situation, referring to, among other subjects, the difficulties faced by Catholics and to the value of their contribution to that society," the statement said.
The audience lasted just 12 minutes and took place in English without interpreters, Vatican pool reporters said.
The Palestinian leader, who arrived in Rome late Monday, has met Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and was to meet Tuesday evening with Prime Minister Romano Prodi.
Abbas also met Tuesday with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican secretary of state, who said afterward: "All that goes towards unity and towards peace ... is very positive."
He added: "There are so many initiatives, by Arab countries as well as the Quartet, and especially the periodical meetings begun between the president of the Israeli government and (Abbas) that are positive steps. Let's hope they bear the desired fruits."
The Middle East Quartet comprises the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States.
The Palestinian leader began a European tour on April 17 to appeal for a resumption of aid from the European Union, suspended after Hamas militants came to power in March 2006.
Abbas has met before with Benedict, in December 2005, when he invited the pontiff to visit Jerusalem, giving him a symbolic Palestinian passport.
