A mural in tribute to Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, shot dead during an Israeli operation in the occupied West Bank, May 13, 2022 in Gaza. (Credit: Mohamad Abed/ AFP)
Pope Francis greeted the brother of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was shot dead this past spring during an Israeli operation in the West Bank, the Vatican’s official journal reported.
Anton Abu Akleh was with his wife and two daughters when they briefly met the pontiff during the weekly papal audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Osservatore Romano said.
Shireen Abu Akleh, whose family is from the Melkite Greek Catholic church, was a veteran reporter with Al-Jazeera. She was shot dead in May while covering an Israeli army operation in the Jenin refugee camp.
The Israeli army said in September that one of its soldiers had likely shot Abu Akleh after having mistaken her for a "terrorist."