Pope Leo XIV held a telephone call last week with President of the European Council António Costa to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including the West Bank and the condition of Christians in southern Lebanon, while also reflecting on his recent 10-day Apostolic Journey to Africa, the Holy See Press Office said. The conversation comes amid heightened international concern over regional instability and the status of Christian communities in conflict-affected areas.

According to the Vatican statement, the exchange was described as “cordial” and focused in particular on developments in the West Bank and on southern Lebanon, where the presence of historic Christian communities continues to be affected by political and security pressures linked to cross-border conflict involving Israel and armed groups such as Hezbollah.

The call follows a series of recent Holy See interventions on the Middle East. In April, Pope Leo publicly reiterated concern over violence and humanitarian conditions in Palestinian territories, while Church leaders in the region, including the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, have reported damage to Christian-owned land and rising pressure on local populations. Southern Lebanon, home to significant Maronite and Melkite Catholic communities, has also seen periodic displacement linked to exchanges of fire along the Israel-Lebanon border since late 2023.

During the conversation, the Pope also reflected on his Apostolic Journey to Africa from April 13 to 23, which included visits to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. The trip marked one of the earliest major international visits of his pontificate and focused on interreligious dialogue, development challenges and the role of the Church in regions affected by poverty and instability.

The Vatican said Pope Leo emphasised “the importance of interreligious dialogue, the promotion of peace and support for the continent’s most disadvantaged communities”, themes that have also featured in recent European Union external policy discussions. As President of the European Council, Costa coordinates the positions of EU member states on foreign policy, including responses to the Middle East crisis and migration flows linked to instability in both the region and parts of Africa.

The European Union has in recent months reiterated support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and increased humanitarian aid commitments, while also expressing concern over the protection of religious minorities in conflict zones. The Pope’s call with Costa forms part of ongoing Vatican diplomatic engagement with international leaders, as the Holy See continues to position itself as an advocate for ceasefire efforts, humanitarian access and the protection of vulnerable communities.