Pope Francis presides over Christian, Jewish and Muslim prayers at Vatican Gardens Sunday June 08,2014

Pope Francis has no political agenda by inviting the two leaders -Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to pray at his home other than to rekindle a desire for peace among the two parties.
However, the meeting could have significance on the ground beyond mere symbolism.
The meeting will also cement Francis' reputation as a leader unhindered by diplomatic and theological protocol who is willing to go out on a limb for the sake of peace.

The unusual prayer summit was a feat of diplomatic and religious protocol, organized in the two weeks since Francis issued the surprise invitation to Peres and Abbas from Manger Square in Bethlehem

It took place in the Vatican gardens in the shadow of St. Peter's Basilica, the most religiously neutral place in the tiny city-state.

It incorporated Jewish, Christian and Muslim prayers - delivered in Hebrew, English, Arabic and Italian.

The prayers focused on three themes common to each of the religions -

• thanking God for creation
• seeking forgiveness for past wrongdoing and 
• praying to God to bring peace to the region.

Pope Francis,Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas were expected to deliver brief remarks, shake hands and plant an olive tree together in a sign of peace.

The spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians was also present to give a united Christian front.

Israeli President Shimon Peres (left) Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, Pope Francis and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (right) stop for photographs before a joint peace prayer in the Vatican's gardens

The Pope looks on as President Shimon Peres from Israel, left, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas greet each other prior to the prayers in the Vatican

The pope, the two presidents and Patriarch Bartholomew then planted an olive tree and members of each delegation shook hands as music played before adjourning for private talks

  

In a meeting that better resembled an outdoor summer wedding than a diplomatic parley, the three men passed along a receiving line as guests mingled on the lawn to the gentle harmonies of a string ensemble before the ceremony began under the shadow of St. Peter's Basilica