Pope Leo meets Israeli President in Vatican talks on Gaza ceasefire

Pope Leo XIV has received the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, at the Vatican in the latest round of high-level meetings aimed at addressing the worsening conflict in the Middle East.

Mr Herzog was welcomed in audience by the Holy Father on 4 September in the Apostolic Palace, before holding further talks with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations.

According to a communiqué from the Holy See Press Office, discussions were held in “a cordial atmosphere” and focused on the political and social situation in the Middle East, where wars continue to exact a heavy toll. Particular attention was paid to the crisis in Gaza, with both sides stressing the urgency of a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid into the hardest-hit areas.

The Vatican underlined its longstanding position that the only way forward is through a two-state solution, calling for “openness and courageous decisions” supported by the international community. Reference was also made to the situation in the West Bank and to the future of Jerusalem, whose status remains central to both peoples.

Talks also examined the broader relationship between the Holy See and Israel. The communiqué noted agreement on the historic importance of bilateral ties and touched upon practical issues affecting relations between state authorities and the local Church. In particular, emphasis was placed on the role of Christian communities in education, social cohesion, and stability throughout the Middle East.

The audience with President Herzog followed a meeting on 22 August between Pope Leo XIV and Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, the Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine.

The visit came just days after a separate meeting at the Vatican between Cardinal Parolin and Varsen Aghabekian, the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

Dr Aghabekian, who was accompanied by Palestinian Ambassador Issa Kassissieh, met the Secretary of State at the end of a European tour seeking humanitarian assistance and diplomatic support. She also visited Palestinian children receiving treatment at hospitals in Rome and the Vatican, including Bambino Gesù and Gemelli.

In an interview with Vatican Radio, the minister described the situation in Gaza and the West Bank as “catastrophic”, insisting that “every day that passes with this brutal aggression, we have hundreds of civilians killed”. She said her government’s priority was to achieve a permanent ceasefire and to open a path towards Palestinian statehood.

She further highlighted the dwindling Christian presence in the region and welcomed the Pope’s interventions as a moral and ethical guide. “We need words like those of the Pope to give us some direction,” she said.

Dr Aghabekian’s visit also included meetings with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and other European leaders. Before travelling to Cairo for an Arab League summit, she appealed to the international community to uphold international law and support Palestinian self-determination.

(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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