Pope Leo, Palestinian President Abbas urge Gaza aid

AP :

Pope Leo XIV held his first in-person meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday, where the two leaders discussed the urgent need to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza and to revive efforts toward a two-state solution to end the Middle East conflict.

The hour-long meeting at the Vatican was described as “cordial” in an official statement, taking place nearly a month after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect in Gaza.

“During the cordial talks, it was recognized that 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,” the Holy See said in a statement.

Pope Leo and Abbas had previously spoken by phone in July about the escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank.

In September, the pontiff reiterated to Israel’s president that the Vatican viewed a two-state solution as the “only way out of the war” and renewed calls for a lasting ceasefire.

Abbas’ visit marked the 10th anniversary of the “Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine.” He arrived in Rome on Wednesday and visited the Basilica of St.

Mary Major to pay tribute at the tomb of the late Pope Francis, whom he had met several times during his papacy.