On December 4, 2014 the Israeli Embassy to the Holy See celebrated 20 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and the Holy See with a reception at the Pontificio Collegio Urbano.
Over 200 gues
ts took part in the event including: the Vatican Secretary of State (Prime Minister) Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Deputy Foreign Minister Antoine Camilleri, Assessor for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State Monsignor Peter Wells, Head of Protocol Monsignor Jose Avellino Bettencourt, and other Vatican Representatives including Monsignor Claudio Maria Celli and Monsignor David Jager, both were involved, twenty years ago with the negotiations leading to the Fundamental Agreement.
Also present were many Ambassadors to the Holy See, leaders of the Jewish Community of Italy, Catholic Friends of Israel and members of the Press.
The event included greetings from Ambassador Zion Evrony and Cardinal Parolin and a concert by the Israeli singer Noa (Achinoam Nini) who sang beautifully in Hebrew, English, Italian and Yemenite.
At the entrance of the hall was an exhibit of thirty pictures about the past four Papal visits to Israel.
The event was followed by a kosher buffet dinner.
Each guest received a gift, a collection of Israeli original stamps commemorating the visit of Pope Francis to Israel.
Many participants commented on the event saying it was moving and unforgettable
.