“During the cordial talks, it was recognised that there is an urgent need to provide assistance to the civilian population in Gaza and to end the conflict by pursuing a two-State solution,” read a statement by the Holy See.
It said the meeting took place in connection with the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine.
Abbas, who is also known as Abu Mazen, will meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday during a visit to Rome that comes nearly a month after the ceasefire agreement came into effect in the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian president visited the Basilica of St Mary Major to pay his respects at Pope Francis’ tomb after arriving in the Italian capital on Wednesday.
“I came to see Pope Francis because I cannot forget what he did for Palestine and for the Palestinian people, and I cannot forget that he recognised Palestine without anyone having to ask him to do so,” Abbas said.
ANSA
