PA president Abbas calls on new pope Leo XIV to uphold predecessor’s ‘legacy’ of defending Palestinian rights

By AFP 9 May 2025, 12:27 am 1 Edit

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas calls on the new Pope Leo XIV to pursue the “peace efforts” of his predecessor Francis, an official statement says.

Abbas sends “best wishes for the success of Pope Leo XIV in the pursuit of his noble task and maintaining the legacy of the late Pope Francis,” says the statement. Abbas highlighted the “importance of the moral, religious and political role of the Vatican in the defence of just causes,” adding that “the Palestinian people and their right to liberty and independence” should be at the top.

Pope Francis, who died last month after a 12-year papacy, had drawn anger from Israel over his criticism of the war against Hamas in Gaza.

Times of Israel Staff contributed to this report.