VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV on Thursday received Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican for talks centered on the Middle East peace process and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
According to a statement from the Holy See, both sides agreed that lasting peace in the region can only be achieved through a two-state solution, describing the discussions as “cordial and constructive.”
Focus on Gaza and Humanitarian Aid
The meeting marked the first in-person encounter between Pope Leo XIV, 70, and President Abbas, 89, since Leo’s election as pontiff.
The Vatican said the two leaders reviewed the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, stressing the urgent need to provide aid and protection for civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.
“Both leaders agreed on the urgent necessity of ensuring humanitarian assistance to the civilian population,” the statement read, underscoring the Holy See’s ongoing call for peace and restraint.
Historical Context and Ongoing Relations
President Abbas last met the pontiff’s predecessor, Pope Francis, at the Vatican in December 2024, where they also discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the status of Jerusalem.
Abbas, who has led the Palestinian Authority since 2005, continues to advocate for Palestinian statehood amid stalled peace negotiations and rising regional tensions.
The Palestinian Authority currently administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but lost control of Gaza in 2007 after the militant group Hamas seized power.
Vatican’s Continued Call for Peace
The Vatican reiterated its consistent position in favor of dialogue, coexistence, and respect for international law, emphasizing that “only through negotiation and mutual recognition can peace between Israelis and Palestinians be achieved.”
The Holy See has long supported diplomatic initiatives aimed at a two-state framework and regularly appeals for an end to violence in the Holy Land.
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