BREAKING NEWS

Peres flies to Italy to meet with new pope, PM

President Shimon Peres left for Italy and the Vatican on a state visit on Monday afternoon. Peres will meet with the new pontiff, Pope Francis I and with the new Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, who was sworn in on Sunday.
Prior to boarding his flight, Peres said he intended to invite the pope for a state visit in Israel and to "strengthen the ties" with the Vatican.