Pope Benedict XVI receives Palestian President Abbas

The following is the full English text of the Statement issued by the Press Office fo the Holy See this Friday, June 3rd, following the following the Audience granted to Palesitinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas:

PRESS STATEMENT

This morning His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI received in audience His Excellency Mr Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, and His Excellency Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.

A central issue of the cordial conversations was the troubled situation in the Holy Land. Particular stress was laid on the urgent need to find a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one capable of ensuring respect for the rights of all and, therefore, the attainment of the Palestinian people’s legitimate aspirations for an independent State. It was thus reiterated that soon the State of Israel and the Palestinian State must live in security, at peace with their neighbours and within internationally recognized borders. In this framework, with the support of the international community and in a spirit of cooperation and openness to reconciliation, the Holy Land will come to know peace.

Reference was also made in the meetings to the situation of the Christian communities in the Palestinian Territories and the Middle East in general, and mention was made of their irreplaceable contribution to the building up of society.

Finally, the hope was expressed that the work of the Delegations of the Holy See and the Palestine Liberation Organization may proceed fruitfully towards the elaboration of a Comprehensive Agreement between the Parties.

Listen to Chris Altieri's report: