Pope Asks Israel to Renew Talks with Palestine

Pope Francis made an appeal to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin Thursday to renew talks with Palestine, as the Israeli leader visited the Vatican.

According to reports from the Holy See, the pope stressed the “urgency of promoting a climate of trust between Israelis and Palestinians” and “the resumption of direct negotiations” for “an agreement respecting the legitimate aspirations of the two populations.”

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In their short, half-hour meeting, the pope also called for “special attention to the conditions of Christians and other minority groups” in the region, which have been affected by several conflicts.

“The importance of interreligious dialogue was recognized, along with the responsibility of religious leaders in promoting reconciliation and peace,” reported the Vatican of the meeting.

This is the latest in a string of several more progressive positions the pope has taken during his papacy.

He has also spoken out on rights for the poor and declared that caring for the environment is a moral duty – issues on which the Catholic church has normally remained mute.

This was the first visit to the Vatican by the new Israeli head of state, who took office in July 2014.

The meeting had the potential to be tense, after Pope Francis gave his support to the Palestinian people earlier this year. He signed a historic first accord between the church and Palestine, officially recognizing Palestinian statehood.

Some radical Israeli groups, particularly self-declared Sanhedrin groups, have demanded the pope rescind his recognition of Palestine as a country or face trial in Jerusalem – a threat the pontiff has ignored.

Tensions did not seem to exist between President Rivlin and the pope however, who exchanged gifts in their brief encounter. The president then went on to meet with the Vatican's Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin.

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