Amid Israel’s ongoing concern about the White House-brokered Iran nuclear deal, Pope Francis hosted Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the Vatican to discuss possible solutions to the Middle East crisis.

After the leaders’ private 40-minute meeting, the Vatican issued a statement regarding the “relevant role Iran is called on to play” in combating terrorism and arms trafficking in the Middle East. The Vatican said that “common spiritual values” between Pope Francis and Rouhani emerged from the meeting. (Breaking Israel News)