On Oct. 17, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and former Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser Al-Kidwa met with Pope Francis at the Vatican to present him with the peace plan they are proposing to end the war in Gaza. (See separate report.) As reported by Vatican News, the two leaders and a group of peace activists were warmly received by the Pontiff on Oct. 17. “It was an important and emotional meeting,” Al-Kidwa explained. “The Holy Father showed extraordinary interest in the peace efforts in the Middle East,” Olmert added.
“Pope Francis gave us extraordinary attention for more than half an hour, explaining that he follows every development of the conflict daily and that every day he connects with the Christians of Gaza…. It was an exceptional honor to be received by His Holiness this morning at the Vatican,” said Olmert. “And we could feel that he is focused on the message that the hostages have to be returned to their families, that Israel has to pull out completely from Gaza and that Israel and the Palestinians must embark immediately on negotiations for comprehensive peace on the two-state solution.”
