Vatican Treaty Recognizes a Palestinian State

The Vatican officially recognized a Palestinian state on Friday by signing a treaty and said it hoped the step would promote peace with Israel.

Vatican Foreign Minister Paul Gallagher said he hoped the Holy See's recognition "may in some way be a stimulus to bringing a definitive end to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

He signed the treaty with his Palestinian counterpart, Riad al-Malki, and said it could be a model for other Middle Eastern countries.

Israel expressed its disappointment last month when the Vatican announced a final agreement on the treaty, regulating the Catholic Church in Palestinian territories.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/mideast/vatican-treaty-recognizes-state-palestine-n382341