By the Associated Press
Israeli President Shimon Peres says Pope Francis should use his influence to press for peace in the Middle East, and invited the Catholic pontiff for a visit. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate met the new pope on Tuesday. Peres also met with Italian political leaders.
Peres spoke to the pope about peace negotiations with the Palestinians and the potential threat of a nuclear-armed Iran. He csaid the pope had "an important role in progressing peace."
The Vatican and Israel established diplomatic relations in 1993. Popes Benedict XVI, John Paul II and Paul VI all made pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said Pope Francis welcomed the invitation to visit Israel but that no trip was on the pontiff's immediate agenda.
