Pope Benedict XVI has met this morning with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Vatican for twenty five minutes.

The Pope has welcomed the Palestinian delegation of eight members led by President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). Abbas, who is on a tour of Europe to thank countries that supported the November 29 resolution by the U.N. General Assembly recognizing Palestine.

"It is hoped that (the resolution) will encourage the commitment of the international community to finding a fair and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which may be reached only by resuming negotiations between the parties, in good faith and according due respect to the rights of both," a Vatican statement said.

The delegation has briefed the Pope on the current situation in the Holy Land as President Mahmoud Abbas presented a mosaic embodies the Church of Holy Sepulcher  with inscription entitled “ Abu Mazen-  The President of the State of Palestine “, which is the first time a Palestinian President uses this term during his visit to the Vatican.