Vatican officially recognizes the State of Palestine

The Vatican reached a treaty that formally recognizes the “State of Palestine,” with agreement on Catholic Church activities in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority. (Reuters)

Faithful throw in the air a jersey and two hats as Pope Francis leaves at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

By William Branigin-May 13

The Vatican concluded a treaty Wednesday that formally recognizes Palestinian statehood, a symbolic but potentially significant step that immediately drew criticism from the Israeli government and a warning that it harms the peace process.

The treaty concludes work by the Bilateral Commission of the Holy See and the State of Palestine and “deals with essential aspects of the life and activity of the Catholic Church in Palestine,” according to a joint statement posted on the Vatican’s Web site.

“Both Parties agreed that the work of the Commission on the text of the Agreement has been concluded, and that the agreement will be submitted to the respective authorities for approval ahead of setting a date in the near future for the signing,” the statement said.

“Yes, it’s a recognition that the state exists,” said the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, the Associated Press reported.

Although the Vatican had previously referred unofficially to the “state of Palestine” and had welcomed the U.N. General Assembly’s 2012 decision to recognize such a state, the treaty marked the first time that the Vatican has negotiated a legal document with the Palestinians that constitutes official diplomatic recognition of a Palestinian state. Previously, the Vatican’s diplomatic recognition had been extended to the Palestine Liberation Organization.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry condemned the move, saying it was “disappointed” by it.

“This move does not promote the peace process and distances the Palestinian leadership from returning to direct and bilateral negotiations,” the ministry said in a text message, AP reported. “Israel will study the agreement and will consider its steps accordingly.”

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to visit Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday ahead of the canonization of two new saints from the Holy Land on Sunday. Abbas previously visited Francis at the Vatican in 2013.

The Vatican has strong religious interests in the Christian holy sites that dot Palestinian territory in the West Bank, which is under Israeli occupation.