In his most forceful remarks since assuming leadership of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV declared that the Holy See fully supports a two-state solution as the only viable path toward justice for both Israelis and Palestinians. Speaking to reporters aboard a flight from Istanbul to Beirut, the pope signaled that the Vatican will intensify its diplomatic involvement as war continues to ravage Gaza.
The comments came during what AP described as the pontiff’s first official press conference, limited to two questions from Turkish journalists. While brief, the exchange offered a clear window into the pope’s foreign-policy priorities — ending the Gaza conflict, reigniting Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, and supporting broader peace efforts in the Middle East.
A Call for Justice — and a Firm Endorsement of Two States
Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the Vatican’s long-standing position: “The two-state solution is the only solution capable of guaranteeing justice for both sides.”
The Holy See formally recognized the State of Palestine in 2015, and the pope noted that this year’s surge of international support for Palestinian statehood — especially during UN General Assembly deliberations — gives new momentum to stalled peace efforts.
But he acknowledged a central obstacle: Israel currently rejects a two-state framework. Even so, the pope insisted the Vatican remains committed to serving as an “honest broker,” maintaining strong relations with both sides in hopes of bridging the deep political divide.
“We are friends of Israel,” Leo XIV said. “And we are friends of the Palestinian people. Our role is to bring them closer to a just resolution.”
Turkey’s Emerging Role — and Hopes for Ending War in Gaza and Ukraine
The pope revealed that he spoke extensively with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during his arrival in Ankara, discussing both the Gaza war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He praised Turkey’s capacity to serve as a mediator, saying Erdoğan had already helped facilitate preliminary talks between Moscow and Kyiv.
“Sadly, we have not yet seen a resolution,” he said. “But today there are new and concrete proposals for peace.”
Leo XIV expressed hope that Turkey will continue diplomatic outreach to Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, a move he believes could finally lead to a ceasefire in both devastating conflicts.
A Pontiff Focused on Peacemaking
The pope’s first overseas trip — Turkey followed by Lebanon — underscores a strategic priority: re-engaging the Holy See in global conflict mediation. His message blends moral clarity with diplomatic realism, acknowledging political obstacles while insisting on the moral duty to pursue peace relentlessly.
With Gaza engulfed in violence and Israeli-Palestinian negotiations at a standstill, Pope Leo XIV’s renewed push for a two-state framework signals that the Vatican intends to remain a vocal and active force in shaping international debate.
“We believe peace is possible,” he said. “But it must be a peace built on justice — for all.”