VATICAN, Aug. 14 (CWNews.com) - Acting Israeli foreign minister Shlomo Ben Ami visited the Vatican on August 14, to brief the Holy See on the peace process in the Middle East.
The Israeli diplomat spent an hour in conversation with Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States. According to a Vatican news release, he underscored "the intention of the Israeli government to pursue negotiations despite the latest difficulties, and to support dialogue with the Palestinian Authority, with the help of the international community."
Archbishop Tauran reiterated the position that has frequently been voiced by the Holy See, emphasizing that a lasting peace must secure the rights of all peoples in the region, and conform to the principles set forth in existing United Nations resolutions.
The Vatican also disclosed that the conversation included an in-depth discussion on the issue of access to the religious shrines of the Holy Land, most notably those in Jerusalem. The Vatican has repeatedly insisted that all religious believers should have free access to the shrines. And the Vatican has indicated concern over the rise of religious discord in Nazareth, where militant Muslims have insisted on building a new mosque adjacent to the Basilica of the Annunciation.
After his meeting with Archbishop Tauran, Ben Ami said that the talks had been "very agreeable." While arguing that Israel already allows free access to the Christian and Muslim holy sites of Jerusalem-- an argument which the Vatican does not entirely accept- - the Israeli diplomat added that his government hopes for "further talks with the leaders of Christian churches on this subject."
Catholic World News Service - Vatican Update