Pope Leo says Palestinians have right to live in peace in ‘own land’

By AFP 9 January 2026, 12:56 pm

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Pope Leo XIV holds his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, January 7, 2026. (AP/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Leo XIV laments rising violence in the West Bank and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying Palestinians had the right to live peacefully in their “own land”.

“Sadly, there has been an increase in violence in the West Bank against the Palestinian civilian population, which has the right to live in peace in its own land,” says the US-born pope in a speech, adding that civilians in Gaza also should be assured “a future of lasting peace and justice in their own land.”

In his speech, Leo also laments, “A diplomacy that promotes dialogue and seeks consensus among all parties is being replaced by a diplomacy based on force, by either individuals or groups of allies.”

He adds, “War is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading.”