In a moment marked by both solemnity and diplomatic significance, Pope Leo XIV welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican on November 6, 2025, commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Vatican’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine. The meeting, which took place in the ornate Apostolic Palace, was more than a ceremonial gesture—it was a reaffirmation of the Vatican’s enduring stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a call for urgent humanitarian action in Gaza.
According to the Vatican’s official statement, the 30-minute audience between the pontiff and the Palestinian leader was "cordial" and focused on the "urgent need to provide assistance to the civilian population in Gaza and to end the conflict by pursuing a two-State solution." This echoed the Vatican’s long-standing position, first formalized in the 2015 Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine, which recognized Palestinian statehood and guaranteed the freedom of the Catholic Church in Palestinian territories. As reported by Catholic News Service, this anniversary provided a poignant backdrop for the discussions, underscoring the Vatican’s commitment to a peaceful resolution rooted in justice and international law.
The meeting came at a time of heightened diplomatic activity and renewed international attention on Palestine. It followed a fragile truce in the Gaza Strip, which had been in effect for nearly a month but remained susceptible to collapse. Pope Leo XIV and Abbas had previously spoken by telephone in July 2025, when fighting in Gaza was at its most intense and the humanitarian crisis was deepening by the day. The Palestinian Authority, led by Abbas since 2005 and aligned with the Fatah party, claims Gaza as part of its territory, though it lost control of the region to Hamas in 2007. The ongoing conflict between Fatah and Hamas has complicated efforts toward Palestinian unity, with the civilian population bearing the brunt of the violence.
The Vatican’s concern for the welfare of Gaza’s civilians has been a recurring theme in papal statements over the years. As cited by ACI Prensa and Vatican News, Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly voiced his worries about the suffering caused by the prolonged conflict. During a press briefing on November 4, the pope expressed cautious optimism about the ceasefire, saying he was "thankful that the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire was continuing even though it was very fragile." Yet he did not shy away from addressing contentious issues, including the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and rising tensions around the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem—an area sacred to both Muslims and Jews and a flashpoint for violence.
"The theme of the West Bank and these settlers is really complicated," Pope Leo told reporters. "Israel says one thing and then does another sometimes. We want to try to work together for justice for all people." His remarks highlighted the complexities of the situation and the challenges facing peacemakers on all sides. According to the Vatican, the Holy See’s support for the two-state solution is grounded in respect for international law and the need to ensure both Israel’s security and the dignity of the Palestinian people.
President Abbas, now 90 years old, has been a frequent visitor to the Vatican. He was received by Pope Francis on December 12, 2024, and on several prior occasions, but this was his first in-person meeting with Pope Leo XIV. Their encounter was imbued with personal and historical resonance. Upon arriving in Rome on November 5, Abbas made a pilgrimage to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he spent 15 minutes in prayer at the tomb of Pope Francis. Accompanied by Father Ibrahim Faltas, former vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, Abbas laid a bouquet of white roses on the marble tomb—a gesture of gratitude and remembrance. Speaking to reporters outside the basilica, Abbas remarked, "I have come to see Pope Francis because I cannot forget what he has done for Palestine and the Palestinian people, and I cannot forget that he recognized Palestine without anyone asking him to."
The 2015 agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine, signed on June 26 of that year, formalized bilateral relations and addressed the rights and activities of the Catholic Church within Palestinian territories. Its anniversary served as a reminder of the Vatican’s consistent advocacy for a peaceful, just, and negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Holy See’s recognition of Palestine places it among a growing number of countries—including France and several other European states—that have extended diplomatic recognition to the Palestinian state in recent years.
The broader context of the meeting was not lost on observers. As noted by Patheos, the Vatican’s support for a two-state solution aligns with calls from religious leaders and scholars who advocate justice and peace in the region. The author of Palestine Is Coming: The Revival of Ancient Philistia pointed out that the Vatican’s position reflects a moral imperative rooted in biblical teachings: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). The argument, echoed by many Christian and Jewish voices, is that justice for Palestinians is not merely a political issue but a matter of religious and ethical duty.
Yet, the path to peace remains fraught with obstacles. The Palestinian Authority’s vision of a state encompassing the West Bank and Gaza Strip faces practical and political challenges, not least the geographic separation of these territories and the ongoing rivalry with Hamas. Israeli settlement expansion, security concerns, and disputes over Jerusalem continue to fuel tensions. Meanwhile, international actors—including the United States—have shown varying degrees of support for Palestinian statehood, with some administrations notably reluctant to endorse the two-state formula.
Against this backdrop, the Vatican’s diplomatic engagement stands out as both principled and pragmatic. By championing a negotiated solution that respects the rights and aspirations of both peoples, the Holy See seeks to balance the demands of justice with the realities on the ground. As the Vatican’s statement emphasized, "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."
For many, the anniversary of the Vatican-Palestinian agreement is a reminder that peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice, dignity, and mutual recognition. As President Abbas’s visit and Pope Leo’s words made clear, the quest for a just and lasting peace in the Holy Land remains unfinished—but not forgotten.
