Pope Leo speaks out on Israel and Palestinian state

A Palestinian state is the only way to end the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people, Pope Leo XIV has said.

The head of the Catholic Church told journalists on a flight to Lebanon that Israel does not accept a Palestinian state at the moment but a two-state framework would be the only way to justice.

Newsweek has contacted the Israeli Foreign Ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

The Vatican has long supported a two‑state solution in which Israelis and Palestinians live side by side. Pope Leo’s remarks are significant given that they came amid heightened violence in Gaza and Israel’s rejection of Palestinian statehood.

What To Know

On a flight from Turkey to Lebanon, the pope gave an eight-minute press conference during his first overseas trip since his election in May as leader of the Catholic Church. Pope Leo warned that humanity’s future was at risk because of conflicts as he condemned violence in the name of religion.

The pope also said he had discussed with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan both the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the war in Ukraine. He said Ankara had an important role to play in ending both wars and praised Turkey as an example of religious coexistence.

The pope was asked about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, having criticized Israel’s military campaign in Gaza earlier this year.

Pope Leo reiterated the Vatican’s position on a two-state solution—which has considerable international backing—to end the decades-long conflict, although has been rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu has said it would reward Hamas and lead to a Hamas-run state on Israel’s borders, despite fighting a two-year war with the group prompted by the militants’ October 7, 2023 attacks on southern Israel.

The pope said Israel did not accept the two-state solution but it was the only way to end the conflict. While in Turkey, Al Jazeera reported that the pope avoided mentioning the war in Gaza.

What People Are Saying

Pope Leo XIV en route to Beirut: “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 added: “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.”

X account Mossad Commentary: “Pope Leo, the first American pontiff, just dropped a bombshell en route to Beirut.”