In an audience dedicated primarily to the conflict in Gaza, Pope Leo XIV received the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. The meeting underscores the pontiff’s growing diplomatic involvement in the crisis, at a critical moment for the region.

Key points of the meeting

• Immediate and permanent ceasefire: The Pope emphasized the need for an urgent and lasting ceasefire in Gaza as an essential step to halt the escalation of violence.
• Release of all hostages: Another key issue was the release of those held by Hamas, considered an essential prerequisite for any significant progress in the negotiations.
• Safe humanitarian access: Unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into the most affected areas was emphasized, respecting both the lives of civilians and international humanitarian law.
• Two-State Solution: The Holy See reaffirmed, once again, its historic position: the creation of two states is the only viable solution to achieving peace.
• Church-State Relations and the Role of Christian Communities: The meeting also examined the historical ties between the Holy See and Israel, with particular emphasis on the role of Christian communities in education, social cohesion, and regional stability.

Reactions and implications

• President Herzog expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and affirmed that Israel is committed to doing everything possible to free the remaining hostages, consolidate peace, and protect religious freedom for all faiths.
• This meeting marks a significant diplomatic gesture, as it represents the first formal greeting between the new pontiff—and the first American pope in history—and the Israeli leader, highlighting the importance of the relationship between the Vatican and the State of Israel.
• A minor controversy arose regarding the origin of the meeting: although the Israeli presidency claimed it was at the invitation of the Pope, the Vatican clarified that it is not it’s custom to extend invitations; rather, it grants audiences to those who request them.

The meeting between Pope Leo XIV and President Herzog reflects a new diplomatic approach by the Holy See amid the conflict in Gaza. With a clear message in favor of dialogue, respect for humanitarian law, and the protection of vulnerable populations, the pontiff seeks to position the Vatican as an actor in peace, with the two-state solution as a shared political horizon.