Pope Francis will host a meeting between Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the Vatican next month, according to the Associated Press. SKY News suggested the Holy See may be thinking about taking over from the Americans as the broker of any Israeli-Palestinian talks.

The offices of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli President Shimon Peres both said they would attend.

The 90-year-old Peres, who is stepping down this summer, has been a fervent supporter of Mideast peace efforts. His decision risks upsetting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is angry about outreach efforts by other politicians at a time when Abbas is reconciling with the Islamic militant group Hamas.

The pope made the invitation public during an open-air mass in Bethlehem on May 25.

Abbas adopted a conciliatory tone, calling on Israel to “make peace based on truth, justice, equality and mutual respect.”

However, this apparent peacemaking from the Palestinian leader flies in the face of his ongoing rapprochement with Hamas, which is committed to Israel’s destruction as the organization’s charter makes very clear. Hamas is recognized in both Europe and the U.S. as a terrorist organization.

As Francis arrived in Israel, a Hamas website decried the Pontiff’s planned visit to the Jewish Western Wall, because it “would send a negative message to the Muslims.”

Abbas’ dalliance with Hamas puts Western nations and organizations in a very difficult situation. The United States and European Union among others have designated Hamas as a terror organization.

[Photo: Facebook/Prime Minister of Israel]