Holy Land: Pope affirms two-state solution

President Abbas meets Pope Francis

Source: Vatican News

Pope Francis held a private audience yesterday with Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, and discussed the need for direct dialogue between Palestine and Israel to achieve a two-state solution.

A Vatican press release reported that their discussions were "cordial" and emphasised the good relations between the State of Palestine and the Holy See.

The Pope and the President spoke about the need to promote human fraternity and peaceful coexistence among various faiths, as well as the goal of a two-state solution in the Holy Land. "With regard to the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, it was stressed that it is absolutely necessary to reactivate direct dialogue in order to achieve a two-state solution, also with the help of more vigorous effort on the part of the international community," the statement reads.

Pope Francis and President Abbas also noted that "Jerusalem must be recognised by all as a place of encounter and not of conflict, and that its status must preserve its identity and universal value as a Holy City for all three Abrahamic religions, also through a special internationally guaranteed status."

The two leaders then spoke about the "urgency of working for peace, avoiding the use of weapons, and combating all forms of extremism and fundamentalism.

The pair also exchanged gifts during their 55 minute meeting.

Pope Francis gave Mr Abbas a bronze plaque of two hands in a friendly grip. Depicted in the background is the colonnade of St Peter's Square, a woman with a child, a migrant boat, and the words (in Italian) "Let us fill our hands with other hands" emblazoned on the bottom of the plaque.

The Pope also gave the president a book of papal documents and copies of his message for peace for this year, the Document on Human Fraternity, and a book on the Statio Orbis of 27 March 2020, published by the Vatican Publishing House.

President Abbas presented the Pope with a book on the Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem, and a representation of the Grotto of the Nativity in amber.

The President also met separately with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.