Pope Francis has met with Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican during a ceremony to unveil the new Palestinian embassy there. The meeting comes as the world wonders is the incoming Trump administration will move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.
LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- Pope Francis has met with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican. The meeting was very cordial. During the meetings which included several Church and Palestinian officials, topics including the historical contributions of the Catholic Church, continued Church aid to the region, and the importance of peace in the region were discussed.
Pope Francis placed emphasis on the fact that the many holy places for believers of all three Abrahamic religions ought to be protected.
Following the meeting, the Palestinian delegation attended a ceremony to inaugurate their new embassy just outside one of the gates to Vatican City.
The meeting comes as tension is expected to increase in the Holy Land. Of particular concern is the possibility that the U.S. may move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem at the request of incoming president Donald Trump.
The movement of the embassy would be seen as legitimizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, which is also a holy city for Muslims. It would be considered an insult.
Israel and the Palestinians continue to clash as both sides dispute boundaries.
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