Pope, Abbas: ‘Loyal friend of the Palestinian people and of peace’

Rome, 21 Apr (LaPresse) – ‘Today we have lost a loyal friend of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights, a staunch defender of the values of peace, love and faith throughout the world and a true friend of peace and justice’. This is how Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas comments on the death of Pope Francis. ‘We express our deepest condolences to the Vatican and to believers around the world for this great loss represented by the passing of Pope Francis, a symbol of tolerance, love and brotherhood,’ Abbas added, quoted by the Wafa agency, which recalls that Pope Francis had recognised the State of Palestine and hoisted the Palestinian flag at the Vatican.