Vatican
City, 17 October 2013 (VIS) – This morning the Holy Father Francis
received in audience Mahmoud Abbas, president of the State of
Palestine, who subsequently went on to meet with Archbishop Dominique
Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.
During
the cordial discussions, reference was made to the situation in the
Middle East, and in particular to the reinstatement of negotiations
between Israelis and Palestinians. The Parties expressed their hope
that this process may bear fruit and enable a just and lasting
solution to be found to the conflict, an increasingly necessary and
urgent objective. In this respect, hope was expressed that the
Parties to the conflict will make courageous and determined decisions
in order to promote peace, with the support of the international
Community. Grave concerns remain, however, regarding the situation in
Syria, for which it is hoped that dialogue and reconciliation may
supplant the logic of violence as soon as possible.
With
regard to bilateral relations, satisfaction was expressed for the
progress made in the elaboration of a Global Agreement on several
essential aspects of the life and activity of the Catholic Church in
Palestine.
Finally,
mention was made of the situation faced by Christian communities in
the Palestinian Territories, and in the Middle East in general,
highlighting the significant contribution they offer to the common
good of society.
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