The Vatican intends to officially recognize the Palestinian Authority (PA) as a "state," senior Foreign Ministry officials implied Wednesday. A declaration on the issue was formulated today with representatives of the PA, sources said, and is expected to be signed in the coming days. It will make clear that the Holy See has decided to change the diplomatic relations, which were so far with the PLO, and instead establish official relations with "Palestine" as a sovereign state.
The Vatican technically welcomed the decision of the UN General Assembly in 2012 for recognition of a Palestinian state, but had never formally expressed congratulations on the subject or changed its policies. The agreement being formulated, if true, will be the first legal document which will constitute official recognition of the "Palestinian state." (READ MORE)
