Pope Leo XIV urges renewed push for Israel–Palestine two-state solution, calls it the ‘only path to justice’

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday reaffirmed the Vatican’s long-standing support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, telling reporters during his first in-flight press conference that it remained the “only solution” capable of ensuring justice for both sides.

The pontiff arrived in Lebanon the same day, carrying a message of peace for a country still struggling with the aftermath of the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah and its continuing fallout.

His stop in Lebanon follows a visit to Turkey, the first leg of his maiden overseas trip since becoming head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics in May. Speaking to journalists aboard the plane, Leo said the visits to both countries were guided by a shared theme — serving as a “messenger of peace” and seeking to encourage peace across the region.

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Lebanon welcomed him with full honours, including a red carpet reception, a 21-gun salute, performances by children and a brass band, and ships at the port sounding their horns. Two Lebanese military jets accompanied the papal aircraft as it approached Beirut.

Along the route from the airport, many gathered to greet him. Zahra Nahleh, 19, from Lebanon’s conflict-scarred south, said she had come to express unity. “I came to say that the Lebanese are one people and we are united,” she said, adding that the pope was admired by both Christians and Muslims. “We want him to bless our land. We wish he could visit the south.”

Leo also confirmed that discussions had taken place regarding the conflicts in the region. He noted that Turkey holds “an important role” in both, pointing out that President Erdogan’s government had already assisted in early-stage talks between Russia and Ukraine aimed at ending the war.

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“Unfortunately we still haven’t seen a solution. But today there are new, concrete proposals for peace.” He said that the Holy See hopes that Erdogan would pursue his dialogue with Ukraine, Russia and the United States to help reach a ceasefire and end the nearly four-year war.

On Gaza, he repeated the Holy See’s longstanding position supporting a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians. The creation of a Palestinian state in east Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza has long been seen internationally as the only way to resolve the conflict.

The Holy See had recognized a Palestinian state in 2015, but the push for a two-state solution received new impetus this year during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Several more countries formally recognized a Palestinian state during the U.N. General Assembly.

“We know that in this moment, Israel doesn’t accept this solution, but we see it as the only one that can offer a solution to the conflict that they are living in,” he said. “We are also friends with Israel and we try with both sides to be a mediating voice that can help bring them closer to a solution with justice for all.”

Leo had avoided any direct mention of the Gaza conflict while in Turkey. And in his brief remarks to journalists summarizing his trip so far, he omitted any reference to his visit to Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, his most visible engagement with Turkey’s Muslim majority.

Rather, Leo focused on the main reason for coming to the region: to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of an important A.D. 325 gathering of bishops from across the Roman Empire in present day Iznik, Turkey. There, the bishops agreed on a common creed, or profession of faith.

The Nicaean Creed is still recited today by millions of Christians around the world and, despite schisms and other divisions, is a rare point of agreement among Catholic, Orthodox and most Protestant believers.

Leo participated in a commemoration of the Council of Nicaea in Iznik and otherwise spent his time in Istanbul meeting with various Orthodox patriarchs. During a joint meeting Saturday, he proposed that they come together in an important way in 2033 in Jerusalem, to commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, as a new visible sign of their unity.

“Obviously is an event that all Christians want to celebrate,” he said. “We have years to prepare,” he added, but said the various patriarchs welcomed the proposal.

With inputs from agencies