Thanks, Pope

Palestinian president grateful for Benedict XVI's support

Pope Benedict XVI greets Palestine's President Mahmoud Abbas during a private audience at the Vatican Dec. 17. A statement from the Vatican press office said the two leaders discussed the need to restart talks between the Israelis and Palestinians. CNS photo / Maria Grazia Picciarella, pool.

Catholic News Agency has released this story reporting that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Dec. 17 with the Pope and expressed his thanks for the Holy See’s support after Palestine was recognized as a state by the United Nations.

Abbas met with Pope Benedict XVI at the Apostolic Palace after the Vatican welcomed the U.N. General Assembly's Nov. 29 vote to recognize Palestine as a "non-member observer state."

According to a Dec. 17 Vatican statement, discussions between the leaders also included the topic of Middle Eastern Christian communities and their “contribution to the common good of society in the region.”

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.