Abie Nathan, the Tel Aviv solo peace emissary who flew recently to Egypt in an abortive effort to start peace talks between Egypt and Israel, was received at the Vatican today by Pope Paul VI, who told the Israeli: “Our benediction goes to everybody who makes an effort for peace.”
Mr. Nathan presented to Pope Paul a Bible, in Hebrew and English, and the pontiff gave the Israeli in return one of the medals struck last fall by the Vatican to mark Pope Paul’s visit to the United Nations, where he called for global peace.
Pope Paul received Mr. Nathan in what is formally called “a particular audience” in Vatican protocol language. Such an audience is reserved for “persons of some value and distinction.” Ordinary visitors are received in “general audience,” while outstanding diplomats and heads of government are given “private” audiences.
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