By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Pope Francis on Thursday welcomed Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas at the Vatican and discussed the “serious” humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The leader of the Catholic Church has repeatedly criticised the Israeli offensive in Gaza, which has led to a huge humanitarian crisis.
The two leaders also discussed peace efforts during the private meeting on Thursday, according to the Vatican, which released images of them smiling together.
Abbas also met with the Holy See’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the Vatican’s equivalent of a foreign minister, Paul Richard Gallagher.
The discussions focused on the Church’s assistance in “the very serious humanitarian situation in Gaza”, the expected ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and “achieving the two-state solution only through dialogue and diplomacy”, a Vatican statement said.
The meeting comes a few days after the release of a photo showing Pope Francis praying in front of a nativity scene at the Vatican, where the baby Jesus’s manger is covered with a black and white keffiyeh scarf, the symbol of Palestinian resistance.
The photo prompted a protest from the Israeli embassy to the Holy See, which asked for the keffiyeh to be removed, diplomatic and Vatican sources told AFP.
Francis has called for peace since Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the Israeli retaliatory campaign in Gaza.
In recent weeks, he has fiercely criticised the Israeli offensive.
Last month, the Pope said “the invader’s arrogance… prevails over dialogue” in “Palestine”.
In September, Pope Francis also denounced an “immoral” use of force in Lebanon and Gaza.
Abbas is also due to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella in Rome.
Arising from the Israel–Hamas war, Gaza has experienced impending famine and a healthcare collapse.
When the war started in October last year, Israel tightened its blockade on the Gaza Strip, resulting in significant shortages of fuel, food, medication, water, and essential medical supplies.
