Pope Francis canonizes two Palestinian nuns

Pope Francis canonized two 19th-century Palestinian nuns Sunday, making them the first Arabic-speaking saints.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 2,000 Christian pilgrims gathered for Mass in St. Peter’s Square and looked on as the pontiff declared Mariam Bawardy and Marie Alphonsine Ghattas the first saints from Palestine since the early days of Christianity, the Associated Press reported.

“Their luminous example challenges us in our lives as Christians,” Pope Francis said.

The historic event has religious and political significance, symbolizing the pontiff’s encouragement for Christians who are facing persecution by Islamic extremists across the Middle East and his support for a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The canonization ceremony comes after the Vatican’s announcement last week of a new treaty that would officially recognize Palestine as a state, a move that sparked ire among some Israeli officials.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon told The Times of Israel that the government is “disappointed by the decision.”

Abbas said he was “proud” of the event. “We want peace for Palestine, peace which transcends religion,” he said as he waved a Palestinian flag outside St. Peter’s Square.