Pope Leo endorses 2-state solution during meeting with PA chairman

Pope Leo XIV meets with the head of the Palestinian Authority, calling for a two-state solution to end the Arab-Israeli conflict while advocating for more aid to Gaza.

By World Israel News Staff

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas visited the Vatican last Thursday, meeting with Pope Leo XIV in the Apostolic Palace.

The two had a “cordial” private meeting, according to the Holy See Press Office. It was the first meeting between the two leaders, though the pontiff spoke by phone with the Palestinian Authority chief on July 21.

According to the Vatican, Thursday’s meeting focused primarily on the war in the Gaza Strip and the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as on tensions in Judea and Samaria. The pope emphasized his call for greater international aid to Gaza.

Pope Leo and Abbas also discussed the diplomatic push for international recognition of unilateral Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

During their conversation, Pope Leo XIV reiterated his support for Palestinian statehood, calling for an end to the war in Gaza and the broader Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of a two-state solution.

“During the cordial talks, it was recognized that 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 Holy See Press Office said after the meeting.

The Vatican officially recognized Palestinian statehood on June 26, 2015, despite the absence of a final-status agreement between Israel.

Two months ago, Pope Leo hosted Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the Vatican.

While the pontiff expressed support for the immediate return of the hostages, 48 of whom were then being held in Gaza, he also criticized Israel’s approach to the war in Gaza, while arguing that there is no alternative to Palestinian statehood.