Hosting Herzog, Pope Leo calls for Gaza ceasefire to be reached ‘with urgency’

Calling the meeting “cordial,” the Vatican says “particular attention” was given to the war in Gaza during Pope Leo XIV’s meeting with President Isaac Herzog, and that the pontiff called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza to be reached “with urgency.”

According to the Vatican readout, Leo expresses his hope for “a speedy resumption of negotiations so that, with willingness and courageous decisions, as well as the support of the international community, the release of all hostages can be achieved, a permanent ceasefire reached with urgency, the safe entry of humanitarian aid into the most affected areas be facilitated, and full respect for humanitarian law be ensured, together with the legitimate aspirations of the two peoples.”

He also says “a two-state solution is the only way out of the current war.”

The pope raises the often thorny issue of relations between Israeli government offices and the Catholic Church in Israel, “with particular attention to the importance of Christian communities and their commitment, both locally and throughout the Middle East, to human and social development, especially in the areas of education, the promotion of social cohesion, and regional stability.”