Pope Francis and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas met here on Saturday and reaffirmed their desire to achieve peace in Middle East.
During a 20-minute meeting, the two leaders called for renewing direct talks between Israel and Palestine to find a fair and lasting solution to the more-than-60-year conflict.
Since the mid 20th century, the Palestinian people have suffered the invasion and occupation of their territories by Tel Aviv, as result of which dozens of thousands people have been killed and millions have been displaced.
His Holiness and Abbas wished that with support from the international community, bold decisions can be made in favor of peace, a Vatican statement said.
The two heads of State also expressed satisfaction with the global agreement reached this week between the Vatican and Palestine, which should be signed in a near future and in which the State of Palestine is recognized.
The text, including essential aspects of the life and activity of the Catholic Church in Palestine, supports the establishment of two states as a solution to the long-running conflict.
During the meeting, the two leaders also analyzed the situation in the Middle East and expressed support for inter-religious dialogue as an essential issue in the struggle against terrorism.
The meeting took place one day before the canonization of two Palestinian nuns, in which Pope Francis and Abbas will be present.
(Prensa Latina)