BY Ian Dunn | May 13 | 
0 COMMENTS 
print
Vatican to officially recognise the State of Palestine
Reports suggest that a new treaty may be signed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Pope Francis on Saturday
The Vatican is to officially recognise the State of Palestine in a new treaty, according to the Associated Press.
The treaty, which was finalised today but still has to be signed, makes clear that the Holy See has switched its diplomatic relations from the Palestinian Liberation Organisation to the State of Palestine.
A total of 130 countries have already recognised the State of Palestine.
According to the Vatican, the new bilateral treaty also ‘deals with essential aspects of the life and activity of the Catholic Church in Palestine’ and is ready for signing on ‘a date in the near future.’
Reports suggest the treaty may be signed on Saturday when Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (above) is due to see Pope Francis before the canonisation of two new saints from the Holy Land the next day.
The two new saints are Mother Marie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas (1847-1927), of Jerusalem, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Rosary, and Mariam Baouardy (1846- 1878), a Carmelite nun born in the village of I’billin, Galilee who founded the Carmelite convent in Bethlehem.
The new treaty would supersede a basic agreement, signed on 15 February 2000, by the Bilateral Commission of the Holy See and the State of Palestine.
RSS Feeds