President Mahmoud Abbas with Pope Francis in the Vatican. (WAFA Images / Thayer Ghanayem) 

VATICAN CITY, Monday, December 03, 2018 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas met on Monday with Pope Francis I in the Vatican during which President Abbas briefed the Pope on the latest developments in Palestine and the implications of the US decision recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving its embassy to the city.

He also briefed him on Israeli violations against the Palestinian people, their land and holy places, particularly in Jerusalem.

The meeting also revolved on relations between Palestine and the Holy See and the strong historical relations between them, while President Abbas thanked the Pope for his support for the just Palestinian cause.

A statement issued by the Vatican said Pope Francis and President Mahmoud Abbas held "cordial discussions" on the "good relations between the Holy See and Palestine" and "the positive role of Christians and the activity of the Church in Palestinian society, enshrined in the Global Agreement of 2015."

It added: "Attention then turned to the path of reconciliation among the Palestinian people, as well as the efforts to reactivate the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, and to reach a two-state solution, hoping for a renewed commitment on the part of the international community to meet the legitimate aspirations of both peoples. Particular attention was reserved for the status of Jerusalem, underlining the importance of recognizing and preserving its identity and the universal value of the holy City for the three Abrahamic religions."

The statement said that "mention was made of the other conflicts afflicting the Middle East and the urgency of promoting paths of peace and dialogue, with the contribution of the religious communities, to combat every form of extremism and fundamentalism."

President Abbas arrived in Rome on Sunday night on an official visit. He is scheduled to meet on Monday with the Italian president and his prime minister.

The Vatican recognized the State of Palestine on January 2, 2016.

(Story updated on 6:27 p.m. with statement from the Vatican on the meeting.)

M.K.