Pope meets Palestinian leader, discusses Middle East conflict
(October 9, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday received Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas in private audience in the Vatican and discussed with him the problems in the
Middle East. A statement from the Vatican press office said the two leaders stressed
the need to find "a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
in which the rights of all are recognized and respected." Mutual respect and the
support of the international community will be an important part of any agreement,
the statement said. The situation of the dwindling Christian community in Palestine
was also discussed, along with the contribution the region's Christians make "to social
life and to peaceful coexistence among peoples," the Vatican statement said. In the
customary exchange of gifts, Abbas gave the pope a painting of Jerusalem on ceramic,
with the caption in English and Arabic: "Jerusalem Capital of Arab Culture." The
pope gave Abbas a bas relief in pewter of St. Peter's Square surrounded by a circular
ivory ceramic frame. Abbas later met Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio
Bertone. Pope Benedict supports a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict. He met both Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in private
meetings during his trip to the Holy Land in May.