JNS.org – After Pope Francis hosted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican on Saturday and appeared to call Abbas an “angel of peace,” Israel highlighted the Palestinian leader’s unilateral moves against Israel, such as joining the International Criminal Court.

“It is regrettable that Mahmoud Abbas uses international forums to attack Israel and refrains from returning to negotiation, which is the right way to implement a diplomatic vision and a solution of peace,” Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said.

Earlier last week, the Vatican formally recognized the “State of Palestine” as part of its announcement of a new treaty. On Saturday, Pope Francis presented Abbas with a medallion and said it represented the “angel of peace destroying the bad spirit of war.” The Vatican later said the pope’s remarks were taken out of context, claiming he was voicing his wish that Abbas would become an angel who would bring peace in the future.