Israel and the Holy See

( 17 Nov 2005 RV ) Thursday, Pope Benedict received Israeli President Moshe Katsav in his private library, within the papal appartments. At the end of their twenty five closed door meeting, the Pope and the President exchanged gifts. The Israeli head of state presented the pope with framed photographs of mosaics from what archaeologists believe to be the Holy Land's oldest christian church. The Holy Father gifted President Katsav with a signed and framed copy of the 1965 declaration Nostra Aetate, the Vatican II document that signalled the start of vast improvements in relations between christians and jews. Following the meeting, President Katsav was pleased to renew his country's standing invitation to all pilgrims of all relgions to visit the Holy Land.