admin
VATICAN CITY — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Pope Francis yesterday as part of a visit to Rome during which he restated his firm opposition to a nuclear deal with Iran. Netanyahu was received for the first time for a short audience by the pontiff, who is expected to travel to the Middle East next year.
Pope Francis and Netanyahu met for 25 minutes for closed-door talks in the presence of an interpreter.
The Israeli PM gave the pope a Spanish translation of his father Benzion Netanyahu’s book “The Origins of the Inquisition in Fifteenth Century Spain”.
The dedication was made out to “Pope Francis, a great shepherd of our common heritage”.
Netanyahu and Francis had been expected to discuss negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, which resumed in July after a three-year hiatus but have faltered due to Israeli plans for new settlement building.
Israeli sources say Francis’s visit to the Middle East could take place before Israeli President Shimon Peres ends his term in July.
Although no date has been made official, sources on both sides say it is likely to take place on May 25-26. — AFP.
Online Reporter