Francis spoke by phone with Mahmoud Abbas about the conflict in Gaza

Pope Francis spoke by telephone with the president of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Mahmud Abbas, in a talk in which the Arab leader pointed out the urgency of providing humanitarian assistance and achieving peace in the Middle East. "They spoke yesterday afternoon (on Thursday)," papal spokesperson Matteo Bruni told Télam this Friday about the conversation first reported by the Palestinian news agency Wafa. According to what was reported, the two leaders spoke about the "latest events in Palestine, including Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem", based on the occupation and constant bombing by the Israeli Army on civilian and military targets in retaliation for the attack by the extremist group Hamas. , last October 7, in an operation criticized by the United Nations and other organizations. The Pope, in line with his public expressions, expressed in the conversation his sadness for the civilian victims caused since the beginning of a new spiral of violence on October 7. The last meeting between both leaders was two years ago, in November 2021, when Francis received Abbas in a meeting in which the pontiff had already raised the need for the so-called "two-state solution" for Israel and Palestine, as he renewed. this week in television statements. According to Wafa, Abbas thanked the Pope for his efforts to consolidate peace in the region and noted the importance of the Vatican continuing to demand a ceasefire. Abbas also emphasized the need to end what he called "terrorism" against the Palestinian people in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and reiterated his firm rejection of the forced displacement of Palestinians. The Vatican and the ANP have maintained official relations since recognition by the Holy See in 2015, which was the previous step for the Palestinian Authority to open an embassy to the Holy See in 2017.

• 03/11/2023 • 07:29