Vatican recognises State of Palestine in new treaty

The Vatican officially recognised the State of Palestine in a new treaty on Wednesday, sparking Israeli outrage. The treaty addresses the status of Catholic Churches and their activities in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said that it was “disappointed” with the move, “which does not promote the peace process and distances the Palestinian leadership from returning to direct and bilateral negotiations.”

The Vatican used the term “State of Palestine” for the first time in February 2013 after the UN General Assembly had recognised the state 3 months earlier. Vatican Foreign Minister Monsignor Antoine Camilleri acknowledged the change in status, saying that the shift was simply in line with the Holy See’s position. A Vatican spokesman, the Reverend Federico Lombardi, added, “Yes, it’s a recognition that the state exists.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will visit the Vatican this weekend to attend Pope Francis’s canonisation of two new saints from Palestine on Sunday.