Pope Francis met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday and called him an ‘angel of peace’. <br /><br /> The meeting at the Vatican came days after it announced a treaty that makes formal its recognition of the State of Palestine and hours before a ceremony Abbas will attend to make saints of two Palestinian-born nuns.<br /><br /> He and Francis discussed the Middle East peace process and Abbas presented the Pope with relics of the two new saints.<br /><br /> Compliments and gifts are a sign of closer ties.<br /><br /> During a visit to the Middle East a year ago, Francis delighted his Palestinian hosts by referring to the “state of Palestine” and giving support for their bid for full statehood recognition.<br /><br /> This weekend St Peter’s Square will see the canonisation of 19th and 20th century Palestinian-born nuns Mariam Baouardy and Marie Alphonsine Ghattas in an historic ceremony.
