Herzog meets with Pope Leo, asks for help with the hostages, gives reassurances about Christians in the Holy Land

President Isaac Herzog meets Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican’s political leadership in the Vatican, asking the pontiff to assist in efforts to free the hostages, a day before the 700th day of their captivity in Gaza.

Herzog also seeks to reassure the Vatican over the treatment of Chirstians in the Holy Land and the situation in Gaza.

Herzog “emphasized that the 48 men and women still in captivity are in immediate and grave danger, and he called for intensified international efforts to secure their release as soon as possible,” says the President’s Residence in a statement, adding that Herzog asked the pope to meet with hostage families.

They also discuss the global fight against antisemitism, and “the importance of protecting minorities in the Middle East – particularly Christian communities and the Druze community in Syria.”

Herzog’s office says that “the situation of Christian communities in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza,” was discussed, a likely reference to consistent criticism from the Catholic Church over Israel’s policies toward Christians in Israel and in Palestinian territories.

“This is a very important and sensitive issue,” says Herzog after the meeting. “I spoke about the wonderful communities in Israel, about the duty and need to safeguard and protect them, and I reiterated Israel’s clear commitment to freedom of religion, of worship, and of course to the development and protection of the Christian communities in the Holy Land.”

The Vatican brought up the humanitarian situation in Gaza as well.

According to Herzog, the issue “resonates strongly in the world’s media and certainly affects Israel’s relations with various countries. I described the massive Israeli effort currently underway, which has significantly changed the situation, the facts, and the reality on the ground.”

Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Foreign Minister Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher also joined the meeting.

“The very fact that Pope Leo XIV, who has just entered his office, receives the president of the State of Israel at the Vatican is a very important statement,” says Herzog. “It shows the great importance of the relationship between the Holy See and the State of Israel, and of course with the Jewish people. The issues at hand are extremely sensitive and weighty these very days.”

Herzog says Israel “would be delighted” to host Leo on a visit.