Pope Leo XIV Meets Palestinian President Abbas, Calls for Urgent Aid to Gaza Civilians

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday received Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican, where both leaders discussed the “urgent need” to assist civilians in Gaza and reaffirmed support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The meeting, held nearly a month after a fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect, marked the first in-person encounter between Abbas and the new pontiff, who succeeded Pope Francis in May. The two had previously spoken by phone in July.

According to a Vatican statement, “During the cordial talks, it was recognised 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 meeting also came exactly 10 years after the Holy See officially recognised the State of Palestine through an accord signed in 2015.

Abbas, who has led the Palestinian Authority for nearly two decades, controls limited areas of the West Bank. His Fatah party remains at odds with Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007.

The Palestinian leader laid flowers on Wednesday at the tomb of the late Pope Francis in Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, describing him as a true friend of Palestine.

“I cannot forget what he did for Palestine and the Palestinian people,” Abbas said.

Unlike his predecessor, who sharply condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza before his death in April, Pope Leo XIV has adopted a more cautious approach. He has expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza and denounced the forced displacement of Palestinians but stopped short of describing the situation as “genocide.”

Abbas is scheduled to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday as part of his ongoing diplomatic engagements in Europe.

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