Google – AFP, 20 October 2013
 |
This
handout picture released on October 17, 2013 by the Vatican press office
shows
Pope Francis (R) speaking with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas during
a
private audience (Osservatore Romano/AFP/File)
|
Jerusalem —
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be meeting with Pope Francis
in three days, a diplomatic source said Sunday, after the premier's office had
previously said they would.
A statement
from Netanyahu's office had said the premier would be "meeting Pope
Francis next Wednesday at the Vatican" and with US Secretary of State John
Kerry for updates on nuclear talks with Iran and negotiations with the
Palestinians in Rome.
But a
diplomatic source on Sunday told AFP no such meeting with Francis will be
taking place, noting that audiences with the Pope must be arranged sufficiently
in advance.
A spokesman
for Netanyahu refused to comment on the matter.
This was to
be Netanyahu's first meeting with Pope Francis. On Thursday, Palestinian
president Mahmud Abbas met with the pope and invited him to the Holy Land.
Israeli President Shimon Peres also invited Francis during a visit earlier this
year.
Francis has
said he would like to travel to the Middle East, but the Vatican has not
confirmed the trip, despite a report by Israel's Channel 2 television that it
will take place in March.
Abbas is
the fourth Middle East leader to have met Pope Francis after Peres, Lebanese
President Michel Sleiman and King Abdullah of Jordan.
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