Israeli PM Netanyahu meets Pope Francis at Vatican
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has visited Pope Francis at the Vatican – the first time the two leaders have met face to face.
Topics discussed included the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran’s nuclear program and the welfare of Christians in the Middle East.
The two also spoke about Francis’s invitation to visit the Holy Land next year. The Vatican has not officially confirmed the dates of the trip, although it will reportedly take place in May.
Netanyahu, who is on a two-day visit to Rome, was joined by his wife Sara for the 25-minute meeting with the pope.
The Israeli leader presented the pontiff with a book written in Spanish by his father, historian Benzion Netanyahu, entitled “Origins of the Inquisition in Fifteenth Century Spain.”
The encounter follows Pope Francis’s meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in October.
Topics discussed included the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran’s nuclear program and the welfare of Christians in the Middle East.
The two also spoke about Francis’s invitation to visit the Holy Land next year. The Vatican has not officially confirmed the dates of the trip, although it will reportedly take place in May.
Netanyahu, who is on a two-day visit to Rome, was joined by his wife Sara for the 25-minute meeting with the pope.
The Israeli leader presented the pontiff with a book written in Spanish by his father, historian Benzion Netanyahu, entitled “Origins of the Inquisition in Fifteenth Century Spain.”
The encounter follows Pope Francis’s meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in October.