VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo XIV held his first in-person meeting with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas at the Vatican on Thursday, focusing on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the path to peace.
In a statement following the “cordial talks,” the Vatican emphasized the “urgent need to provide assistance to the civilian population in Gaza” and reiterated that resolving the conflict requires pursuing a two-state solution.
The meeting marks the first between the two leaders since Pope Leo, an American, began his papacy in May 2025. It also commemorates ten years since the Holy See’s official recognition of the state of Palestine.
President Abbas, who leads the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, paid tribute to the late Pope Francis before the meeting, laying flowers at his tomb and acknowledging his support for the Palestinian people.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on a report from Vanguard News and an official statement from the Vatican. The views and political positions mentioned are those of the involved parties. CDA News reports this diplomatic development for informational purposes and does not endorse any specific political stance.
