VATICAN CITY - The Vatican has signed a treaty with the State of Palestine, which deals with the essential aspects of the life and activity of the Catholic Church in areas controlled by the state.

  The Holy See also calls for “courageous decisions” to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and hopes that the official recognition of the state will help stimulate peace.

  Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican's 'foreign minister,' said he hoped the agreement could be a "stimulus to bringing a definitive end to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which continues to cause suffering for both Parties."

 Israel had previously expressed its disappointment at the statement last month from the Vatican, announcing that it had drafted an agreement with the Palestinians.

  Israel has criticised the recognition of Palestine as a state as a “hasty step”. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said, “Israel was disappointed to hear of the Holy See’s decision to agree to the final version of the agreement with the Palestinians.” 

  The treaty, made up of a preamble and 32 articles, was signed by Vatican Foreign Minister Paul Gallagher and his Palestinian counterpart, Riad al-Malki, at a ceremony Friday in the Vatican.

  Whilst the text of the treaty has not been released, Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, the Holy See’s chief negotiator with Palestine, has told the Vatican newspaper l'Osservatore Romano that a “very elaborate and detailed” section deals with “religious freedom and freedom of conscience." Other sections deal with property and tax questions, as well as the scope of Catholic media and charitable activities. 

  The treaty marks the first legal recognition by the Vatican of the Palestinian state.