(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 12.12.2024).- The austere visage of Saint Porphyrius of Gaza, captured in a timeless Eastern Orthodox icon, now graces the Vatican. This symbolic gift, imbued with deep historical and spiritual significance, was sent by Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem to Pope Francis, delivered personally by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during their audience on December 12.
A Meeting Marked by Urgency and Hope
President Abbas, often referred to as Abu Mazen, met with Pope Francis in a 30-minute private audience that underscored the shared aspiration for peace in one of the world’s most conflict-ridden regions. The conversation extended to the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, where Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher joined discussions on the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
According to a statement from the Vatican Press Office, the dialogue emphasized the urgency of a ceasefire and the liberation of hostages in Gaza. Both parties reiterated their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and stressed the necessity of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve a two-state solution. Jerusalem, envisioned as a place of unity for Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, was highlighted as needing special international protection.
Gifts with Meaning
The exchange of gifts during the meeting was poignant. Alongside the icon of Saint Porphyrius—a 4th-century bishop who led the Christian community in Gaza—Abbas presented artworks commemorating Pope Francis’ 2014 visit to Bethlehem. These included a painting of the Pope at the separation wall and another portraying the Pope alongside Abbas. In return, Pope Francis gifted a bronze sculpture symbolizing fragile peace, inscribed with the words, “Peace is a fragile flower,” alongside volumes containing his annual Peace Day message and writings on the papal residence.
Abbas’ Vision for Peace
Following the audience, President Abbas described the encounter as “like meeting an old friend.” He expressed gratitude for the Pope’s consistent advocacy for Middle Eastern peace and support for Palestinian civilians. Abbas reaffirmed the critical importance of international recognition for a Palestinian state, reiterating that the two-state solution remains the only viable path to lasting peace.
Reflecting on past Vatican meetings, Abbas recalled the June 9, 2014 event where he, Pope Francis, and former Israeli President Shimon Peres planted an olive tree in the Vatican Gardens as a gesture of peace. “That moment remains etched in the memory of the Palestinian people,” Abbas remarked, underscoring its historical significance.
A Call for Pilgrimage and Peace
As the Jubilee year approaches, Pope Francis and his counterparts expressed hopes for the return of pilgrims to the Holy Land, a region yearning for stability and reconciliation. This aspiration reflects a broader vision of fostering understanding among the world’s faiths and communities, with Jerusalem as a beacon of coexistence.
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