“Concerning the situation in the Middle East, the need for strong initiatives by the international community, such as that taking place in Sharm el-Sheik (Egypt) was reaffirmed,” a Vatican statement said.
The two-day conference at the Red Sea resort, to wrap up later Friday, is being attended by delegates from Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations.
The pope met privately with Khatami for about half an hour Friday morning.
