There is widespread coverage of Pope Francis’ canonisation yesterday, of two nuns born in Ottoman-ruled Palestine, making them the first Arabic-speaking saints. The ceremony was attended by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas. The Telegraph says that the event is another sign of warming Vatican-Palestinian relations, with the Times noting that the Vatican recently explicitly signed its first treaty with the Palestinian state. The Guardian says that during the ceremony, Pope Francis highlighted his wish for a two-state solution. The event is also covered by the Independent and Metro, while the Daily Mail reports that the Pontiff met with Abbas, calling him an “angel of peace” after he handed him a medallion depicting an angel, during an official exchange of gifts.

The online editions of the Telegraph and Independent both report that ISIS has been pushed back from the historic Syrian city of Palmyra, the home of a number of irreplaceable artefacts. The Financial Times online says that the Damascus middle class is increasingly feeling the economic squeeze of Syria’s Civil War, which could have an impact on President Assad’s future. A Guardian editorial notes that the United Nations’ (UN) Syria peace envoy has launched a third round of talks in an attempt to stop the fighting, but has settled for “separate consultations” with all sides of the conflict, in recognition that the war’s resolution cannot yet be achieved.

In Egypt, the Independent online says that 6 ISIS members have been executed for carrying out an attack in Cairo in 2014. Meanwhile, the Guardian online says that the United States is “deeply concerned” over the decision of an Egyptian court to hand the death penalty to former-President and Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammed Morsi. Ousted from power in 2013 by President al-Sisi, Morsi’s prosecution alongside around 100 Muslim Brotherhood leaders has been at the forefront of a crackdown against the movement.

In the Israeli media, yesterday’s Jerusalem Day celebrations and events, which mark the re-unification of the city in 1967 is the top story in Israel Hayom, which highlights Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comment that “Jerusalem has always been the capital of the Jewish people alone, and not of any other people.” Netanyahu’s speech is also covered prominently in Maariv, while Haaretz and Israel Radio cover light clashes which took place in Jerusalem’s Old City between Palestinians and police. Clashes occured during the traditional flag parade which sees Jewish revellers dance towards the Western Wall through neighbourhoods including Arab areas.

Meanwhile, Maariv leads with a meeting at the Western Wall between senior Likud MK Gilad Erdan, who was not appointed to the cabinet last week and former-Likud minister Gideon Saar, who both called for more building in Jerusalem, in what will be seen as veiled criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu. Commentator Ben Caspit says that the meeting between the two popular figures will “almost certainly set off all the alarm bells” for Netanyahu.

The top story in Yediot Ahronot, also covered extensively in Maariv and Israel Hayom, is the strike and demonstration in the southern city of Dimona yesterday, in protest at potential redundancies at Israel Chemicals, a major local employer. The demonstrators have received support from municipalities across the south of the country and opposition leaders, concerned at the region’s development. Israel Radio news says that a local labour court will hear today hear reports from all sides over progress in negotiations.