VATICAN SIGNS TREATY WITH PALESTINE, MARKING IT AS A STATE

VATICAN CITY, June 26 (UPI) — The Vatican formally recognized Palestine as a state Friday, with the signing of a treaty, the product of 15 years of negotiations.

The agreement involves “essential aspects of the life and activity of the Catholic Church in the State of Palestine,” a Vatican statement said.

The acknowledgement of Palestine’s identity, Vatican ambassador Archbishop Paul Gallagher said, is meant to be a “stimulus to bringing a definitive end to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which continues to cause suffering for both parties.” He added he hoped the “much desired two-state solution may become a reality as soon as possible.”…