VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo unequivocally declared the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state as the “only solution” to the enduring Israeli-Palestinian conflict during an in-flight press conference on Sunday. The pontiff’s remarks reinforce the Vatican’s long-held diplomatic position and come amid a deepening crisis in Gaza and shifting international stances.
“We all know that at this time Israel still does not accept that solution, but we see it as the only solution,” said Pope Leo, the first American pontiff, while speaking to journalists aboard his flight from Turkey to Lebanon. “We are also friends with Israel, and we are seeking to be a mediating voice between the two parties that might help them close in on a solution with justice for everyone.”
The Pope’s comments, delivered in Italian, underscore the Vatican’s commitment to a two-state solution as the cornerstone of a just and lasting peace, a policy formally recognized when the Holy See signed a comprehensive agreement with the State of Palestine in 2015.
A Stance Against the Political Tide
Pope Leo’s reaffirmation places the Vatican in direct opposition to the current Israeli government. Just days before his statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly reiterated his rejection of a Palestinian state following the October 7 attacks, asserting that Israel must retain security control over all territory west of the Jordan River.
This stance persists even as Israel’s most powerful ally, the United States, continues to advocate for a revitalized path toward Palestinian statehood. The Pope’s remarks highlight a growing diplomatic chasm and position the Holy See as a moral voice advocating for a solution that many political leaders currently view as unattainable.
The press conference, which lasted approximately eight minutes, primarily focused on the Pope’s inaugural overseas trip to Turkey since his election in May as the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Turkey as a Mediator and Model
During his four-day visit, Pope Leo met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with their discussions centering on the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. The Pope emphasized Turkey’s unique position to act as a peacemaker, stating the nation has “an important role to play helping end both wars.”
The pontiff also used his platform in Turkey, a nation that is overwhelmingly Muslim yet home to the spiritual leader of the world’s 260 million Orthodox Christians, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, to deliver a broader message. He warned that an “unusual number of bloody conflicts” globally is putting humanity’s future at risk and condemned the use of religion to justify violence.
In a notable shift from his typically cautious diplomatic language, Pope Leo has escalated his criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza in recent months. He has repeatedly used terms like “terrorism,” “carnage,” and “desperate humanitarian crisis” to describe the situation, reflecting the Vatican’s deep concern over the civilian toll.
Praising Turkey as an exemplar of religious coexistence, the Pope observed, “People of different religions are able to live in peace. That is one example of what I think we all would be looking for throughout the world.”
Pope Leo is scheduled to continue his diplomatic mission in Lebanon until Tuesday, where the plight of Palestinian refugees and regional stability are expected to be key topics of discussion before he returns to Rome. His journey underscores the Vatican’s persistent efforts to position itself as a neutral, mediating force in some of the world’s most intractable conflicts.
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