Pope Francis hosts Israeli, Palestinian Leaders, asks them to recognize each other as "Brothers"

Deborah Lutterbeck reports: “Pope Francis, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attend a peace prayer meeting in “neutral” Vatican gardens.”

Reuters: “Pope calls on Israelis, Palestinians to find “courage” for peace”

The Catholic News Service reports the spiritual side of the event in more depth: “Pope, Peres, Abbas pray at Vatican”

AFP reported on the background to this meeting:

Pope Francis hosts Israeli-Palestinian peace prayer (via AFP)

Pope Francis on Sunday hosts an unprecedented peace prayer meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas in a symbolic gesture to foster dialogue but unlikely to have any immediate effect. Tensions are running high…