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.