Pope Leo XIV held his first meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas, where the Vatican says they discussed the “urgent need” to help the civilian population in Gaza.
The visit comes almost a month into a fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, following two years of war triggered by the Palestinian terror group’s October 7, 2023, attack.
“During the cordial talks, it was recognized that there is an urgent need to provide assistance to the civilian population in Gaza and to end the conflict by pursuing a two-state solution,” the Vatican says in a statement afterwards.
It notes that the meeting came 10 years after the Holy See formally recognized the state of Palestine through an agreement signed in 2015.
Abbas met several times with Leo’s predecessor, pope Francis, who died in April.
In the final months of his pontificate, Francis hardened his rhetoric against Israel’s assault on Hamas in Gaza, but his successor has so far adopted a more measured tone.
Abbas will tomorrow meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
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