Pope Leo XIV emphasized to Israeli President Isaac Herzog the importance of quickly resuming negotiations to reach a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and achieving a two-state solution as the only way to end the war.

The meeting took place on Thursday at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, where they discussed the situation in the Middle East, especially the tragic developments in Gaza, which has been subjected to genocide committed by Israel for 23 months.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with American support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, resulting in 64,231 deaths and 161,583 injuries, most of whom are children and women, more than 9,000 missing persons, hundreds of thousands displaced, and a famine that killed 370 Palestinians including 131 children.

The Vatican Press Office stated that the meeting addressed the ongoing conflicts in the region, emphasizing the importance of quickly resuming negotiations to reach a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring safe humanitarian aid access.

The statement added that the Pope and the delegation involved in the talks, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, stressed the need to release all hostages, respect humanitarian law, and achieve the legitimate aspirations of both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.

The Pope and the delegation confirmed that the two-state solution (Palestinian and Israeli) is the only way to end the war and achieve stability.

The meeting also touched on the situation in the West Bank and Jerusalem, as well as relations between the civil authorities and the local church in Israel, highlighting the role of Christian groups in supporting human and social development, especially in education and strengthening social cohesion in the region.

It is noted that relations between the Vatican and Israel have recently been tense due to repeated criticisms by former Pope Francis of Israel’s conduct during the Gaza war.

The Vatican also intensified its tone against Tel Aviv after an Israeli army attack targeted a Catholic church in Gaza last July, and Pope Leo XIV condemned the “barbarity” of the Gaza war, calling for an end to the “random use of force,” which represents a clear divergence from the traditional diplomatic positions of the Holy See.