Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI received Monday Israel's new Vatican ambassador, expressing the need for a "just peace" to resolve the conflict between the Jewish state and the Palestinians.

Mordechay Lewy presented his credentials to the pontiff at a ceremony in the Vatican.

"The Holy See joins you in giving thanks to the Lord that the aspirations of the Jewish people for a home in the land of their fathers have been fulfilled, and hopes soon to see a time of even greater rejoicing when a just peace finally resolves the conflict with the Palestinians," Benedict said.

The Vatican recognized Israel's "legitimate need for security and self-defence", in the same way that it believed that all people should have a right to be given equal opportunities to flourish," the pontiff told Lewy.

"Accordingly, I would urge your government to make every effort to alleviate the hardship suffered by the Palestinian community, allowing them the freedom necessary to go about their legitimate business, including travel to places of worship, so that they too can enjoy greater peace and security," Benedict said.

The pontiff also offered his "good wishes" for the 60th anniversary of the founding Israel which is being celebrated this year.

He also recalled the establishment in 1993 of diplomatic relations between Israel and the Vatican.

The Vatican late last year turned down an invitation by Israeli President Shimon Peres for the pontiff to visit the Holy Land in 2008, citing a stall in long-standing negotiations with Israel.

The talks focus on long-standing sticking points, including taxation of church property and visas for Catholic clergy.

There could also be no talk of a papal visit until the conditions of general peace in the area could be established the Vatican said.

For years the Vatican resisted establishing diplomatic ties because of Israel's treatment of the Palestinians in the occupied territories, disputes over church property in the Holy Land and the status of Jerusalem, a city sacred to Jews and Muslims for which the Vatican champions the granting of an international status. (dpa)