Pope Francis called for the recognition of a Palestinian state during his visit to Bethlehem on the West Bank on Sunday. But he made the same demand on behalf of state of Israel.

Francis called for "the acknowledgment by all of the right of two States to exist and to live in peace and security within internationally recognized borders."

Standing next to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, he referred to the territories as the State of Palestine.

"Our recent meeting in the Vatican and my presence today in Palestine attest to the good relations existing between the Holy See and the State of Palestine," he told Abbas at a press conference.

But he also called on all sides to adhere to pursue a path to peace together and not take unilateral actions to disrupt it.

"I can only express my profound hope that all will refrain from initiatives and actions which contradict the stated desire to reach a true agreement, and that peace will be pursued with tireless determination and tenacity."

The government of Israel has objected to unilateral initiatives by Palestinians to seek international recognition as a state, and Palestinians have objected to Israeli initiatives to expand settlements on the West Bank.

Palestinian leaders have also traditionally refused to recognize the existence of the Jewish state.

Francis alluded to Bethlehem as the biblical birthplace of Jesus, who he called the Prince of Peace then called on Abbas to protect the religious rights of Palestinian Catholics.