Pope Leo XIV and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas convened for their first in-person discussion on Thursday. The leaders gathered to address the critical necessity of delivering humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
Furthermore, they affirmed the importance of seeking a two-state solution as the ultimate pathway to ending the regional conflict.
The meeting lasted approximately one hour. A concise statement from the Vatican characterized the discussions as “cordial.” This significant diplomatic encounter occurs nearly a month after a ceasefire agreement, mediated by the U.S., took effect across the Gaza Strip.
Focus on Humanitarian Crisis and Long-Term Peace
The newly elected pontiff and President Abbas had previously spoken by telephone in July. That earlier conversation centered on the escalating conflict in Gaza and the rising violence in the West Bank.
The Holy See later issued a confirmation regarding the key points of agreement from the Thursday meeting:
“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 Vatican has consistently advocated for the two-state solution. In September, Pope Leo, along with his senior diplomats, informed Israel’s president that this approach presented the “only way out of the war.” The Holy See has also repeatedly called for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza region.
Abbas Marks Diplomatic Anniversary
President Abbas scheduled his Vatican visit to coincide with a notable anniversary. He was commemorating the 10th anniversary of the “Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine.” This pivotal document formalized and governs relations between the Vatican and the Palestinian Authority.
Abbas arrived in Rome on Wednesday afternoon. He visited the Basilica of St. Mary Major to pay his respects at the burial site of the late Pope Francis.
President Abbas had met with Pope Francis several times over the years. They maintained frequent telephonic contact following the militant attacks of October 7, 2023, and the military responses in Gaza that followed.
The Ongoing Diplomatic and Political Context
The meeting between Pope Leo XIV and President Abbas holds symbolic weight. It reinforces the Vatican’s diplomatic recognition of the Palestinian Authority. Their joint emphasis on the two-state solution positions the Holy See firmly within the international consensus on the conflict’s resolution.
The Vatican’s consistent calls for adherence to international humanitarian law and the protection of holy sites continue to frame its diplomatic engagement in the Middle East.
The commitment to delivering aid remains paramount, given the dire humanitarian conditions that have persisted in Gaza, even under the ceasefire. The dialogue provides a measure of international legitimacy to President Abbas amidst complex internal Palestinian politics.
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