Pope meets Palestinian president

December 17, 2012 - Pope Benedict XVI on Monday welcomed in the Vatican President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian leader, also known as Abu Mazen, later met Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States. A Vatican statement said the cordial discussions referred to the United Nations General Assembly Nov. 29 upgrading of the Palestinian Authority's observer status from "entity" to "non-member state". The two sides hoped that the initiative will encourage the commitment of the international community to find a fair and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which may be reached only by resuming negotiations between the parties, in good faith and with due respect for the rights of both. The talks also addressed the situation in the Middle East, troubled by numerous conflicts, in the hope that the courage for reconciliation and peace will be found. The Holy See and the Palestinian Authority also mentioned the contribution that Christian communities can offer to the common good in the Palestinian territories and throughout the Middle East.