Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Abbas set to meet Pope Francis at Vatican

The P.A. chief will reportedly visit Italy as part of the trip, where he will meet President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Pope Francis is welcomed by Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem, May 25, 2014. Photo by Atta Jaber/Flash90.
Pope Francis is welcomed by Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem, May 25, 2014. Photo by Atta Jaber/Flash90.

Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to meet with Pope Francis on Thursday, the Vatican announced on Tuesday.

Abbas and Francis last met at the Vatican in November 2021, according to Reuters. The P.A. leader is reportedly expected to sit down with the pope at the Vatican City’s Apostolic Palace, followed by a meeting with diplomatic officials, including Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.

Abbas will reportedly visit Italy as part of the trip, where he will meet President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Both Francis and Meloni have recently become more outspoken in their criticism of Israel’s military actions against Iranian-backed terrorist groups, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

A nativity scene that went on display at the Vatican on Saturday featured a picture of Jesus in a keffiyeh. The display comes at a time when a revisionist narrative has spread about Jesus having been a Palestinian.

The pre-Christmas event came just weeks after the Catholic leader called for an international investigation to determine if Israel’s actions in its war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza constituted “genocide.”

For her part, Meloni has told parliament that she blocked all arms deals with the Jewish state just weeks after Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 massacre. Among those murdered were three dual Italian-Israeli nationals.

The legislation, modeled on a Kentucky law, “reaffirms New York’s commitment to accommodating religious practices and cultural traditions,” state senator Sam Sutton’s office told JNS.
The student allegedly made statements in a group chat, later claiming that it was a joke.
Volunteers from Chaverim of Rockland joined Hatzolah of Los Angeles’s effort as police continue to search for Jeanne Litvin, who has been missing for a week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks at the state memorial ceremony for the fallen of Israel’s wars on Mount Herzl.
The Israeli military released video showing troops observing the memorial siren, which sounds twice on Yom Hazikaron.
“The Deliverer” signs appear in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv ahead of Independence Day.