MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Vatican formally recognizes the State of Palestine and signs first treaty
During a visit to the Middle East a year ago, Pope Francis delighted his Palestinian hosts by referring to the “State of Palestine” 
In an interview with L'Osservatore Romano, Camilleri said he hoped the agreement would indirectly help the Palestinian State in its relations with Israel. The Vatican concluded its first treaty that formally recognizes the State of Palestine, with an agreement on Catholic Church activities in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority, the Holy See said on Wednesday.
The agreement “aims to enhance the life and activities of the Catholic Church and its recognition at the judicial level,” said Monsignor Antoine Camilleri, the Vatican's deputy foreign minister who led its six-person delegation in the talks.
The text of the treaty has been concluded and will be officially signed by the respective authorities “in the near future,” a joint statement released by the Vatican said.
Vatican officials stressed that although the agreement was significant, it certainly did not constitute the Holy See's first recognition of the State of Palestine.
“We have recognized the State of Palestine ever since it was given recognition by the United Nations and it is already listed as the State of Palestine in our official yearbook,” Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said.
On November 29, 2012 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing Palestine as an observer non-member state. This was welcomed at the time by the Vatican, which has the same observer non-member status at the UN.
During a three-day visit to the Middle East a year ago, Pope Francis delighted his Palestinian hosts by referring to the “State of Palestine”, giving support for their bid for full statehood recognition.
The four-person Palestinian delegation was led by the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Rawan Sulaiman.
In an interview with the Vatican's official newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, Camilleri said he hoped the agreement would indirectly help the Palestinian State in its relations with Israel.
“It would be positive if the accord could in some way help with the establishment and recognition of an independent, sovereign and democratic State of Palestine which lives in peace and security with Israel and its neighbors” he said.
Pope Francis is scheduled to hold a meeting with the president of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas next Saturday.
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Read all commentsVatican formally recognizes the State of Palestine
May 14th, 2015 - 10:34 am 0Nice guy ,
now will he formally recognize the Falkland's.
I thought the “Dope on a rope” was supposed to be above politics.
May 14th, 2015 - 05:03 pm 0Be much better if he cleaned up the RCC: still too many kiddie fiddlers left in the Popery.
What a shame. Recognising a 'state' of terrorists and criminals. How can I say that? On occasion, I've read the Bible. Perhaps others have as well. What's the capital of the Kingdom of Israel? Isn't it Jerusalem? Where did King Solomon construct the First Temple? Jerusalem. Where was the Second Temple constructed? Jerusalem. Don't you put your centre of religious worship in your capital? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_temple#Second_Temple
May 14th, 2015 - 05:20 pm 0I wonder at Pope whatever his name is. Doesn't the Second Temple play a significant role in the biblical story? Has he decided that Johnny come lately Islam was okay to build over the site of the Temple?
And this is the city and area that the so-called 'palestinians' intend to have as 'their' capital. Anyone remember the arabic, islamic, 'palestinian' intention to destroy Israel? The land from the sea to the River Jordan, and some on the other side, have belonged to the Hebrews, Israelites, Jews and Israelis for at least 3,500 years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_temple#Second_Temple
Jews have been demonised, persecuted and murdered for at least 1,500 years. Much of it in the West. But most of the world has taken part. I remain proud that Britain was the first to declare the right of those people to their homeland. And where else should they have that homeland than where they came from? Neither so-called 'palestinians', arabs nor muslims have any right to that territory.
Don't we all know that Islam is a cult of hatred and murder? Whether you believe in Christianity or not, the pope is a powerful leader. Supposedly of the Christian, western world. And who does he kow-tow to?
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