Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif meets Pope Francis

Pope Francis on Monday met with Iranian Foreign Minister Jav Zarif, and spoke by telephone with Turkish president, amid growing violence between Israel and Palestinians.

Vatican confirmed Francis spoke by phone around 9 a.m. with Turish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Later, he met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohamm Jav Zarif, who was in Rome on a previously announced visit. Vatican provided no comment on content of talks.

Pope presented Zarif with a gift that he said was a symbol of peace with an olive branch and a dove.  He also gave Zarif copies of his Encyclicals (writings by Pope to Catholic faithful), "Laudato, Si" on environment and "All Brors" on fraternity.

Following his meeting with Pope, Zarif sat down for talks with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, equivalent of a Vatican Prime Minister and Cardinal Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States, Vatican's Foreign Minister.

meetings come after Francis appealed for calm and international help to open a path of dialogue in Middle East on Sunday.

Speaking during his Papal blessing, Francis said deaths of children in latest surge of violence was a "sign that y don't want to build future but want to destroy it."

At least 188 Palestinians have been killed in strikes and 1,230 people wounded. Eight people in Israel have been killed in rocket attacks from Gaza.