Pope Leo Meets Palestinian President Abbas, Calls for Urgent Gaza Aid and Renewed Push for Two-State Solution

Pope Leo XIV held his first in-person meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday, with both leaders emphasizing the urgent need to deliver humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and to revive efforts toward a two-state solution as the path to lasting peace in the Middle East.

The meeting took place at the Vatican and lasted nearly an hour. In a short statement, the Holy See described the discussions as “cordial,” noting that both sides agreed on the importance of protecting civilians, restoring stability, and addressing the humanitarian crisis that has deepened since the latest round of conflict. The talks came almost a month after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire was implemented in the Gaza Strip.

According to the Vatican, the conversation focused heavily on the moral and political urgency of alleviating the suffering of Gaza’s population. Pope Leo and President Abbas discussed the responsibilities of the international community and regional powers to ensure that aid reaches those most in need. “There is an urgent need to provide assistance to the civilian population in Gaza and to end the conflict by pursuing a two-state solution,” the Vatican statement read.

The encounter follows earlier phone discussions between the two leaders in July, when they exchanged views on developments in Gaza and ongoing tensions in the West Bank. While this was their first face-to-face meeting, their dialogue reflects a growing relationship between the Vatican and Palestinian authorities grounded in humanitarian concerns and shared advocacy for peace.

Pope Leo has continued the Vatican’s long-standing support for a two-state framework as the only viable path toward a just and sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians. In September, during a meeting with Israel’s president, the pope and his diplomatic advisors reiterated that position, urging both sides to commit to a permanent ceasefire and renewed political negotiations.

Abbas’s visit to the Vatican coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine, a landmark accord recognizing the rights of the Catholic Church within Palestinian territories. As part of his trip, Abbas also visited the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Wednesday to pay his respects at the tomb of the late Pope Francis, with whom he had shared a close working relationship.

During the years of conflict, Abbas frequently spoke with Pope Francis by phone, particularly after the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent escalation of violence in Gaza. Those conversations often centered on the need for humanitarian corridors and renewed international dialogue to prevent further loss of life.

The latest meeting between Pope Leo and President Abbas reflects the Vatican’s continued commitment to diplomatic engagement and humanitarian advocacy in the region. Both leaders reaffirmed that peace in the Holy Land cannot be achieved through force but through justice, dialogue, and compassion for the suffering of all civilians caught in the conflict.