A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.
The two embraced and kissed on the cheek as the pontiff welcomed Abbas to a library in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace for a private, 20-minute meeting.
Israeli Deputy Minister for Regional Cooperation Ayoub Kara felt the pontiff was sending a direct message to UNESCO.
The Pope, who embraced Peres on arrival, told him that together they would raise their voices for peace.
Francis' popularity with both Catholics and non-Catholics has given him an image of a grandfatherly priest who understands how difficult it sometimes is to follow Roman Catholic Church teachings.
Pope Francis - like Pope Benedict - has joined the evil-doers to the chagrin of the Jewish people.
The international interference could end up backfiring and encouraging Palestinians to stay away from the negotiating table.
Did the pope just recognize a Palestinian state? Is it time to rethink the criminalization of marijuana?
Here is a man of intelligence who, I cannot conceive, is unaware of what the Palestinians were doing when they pushed him to the security barrier.