Pope Leo XIV stated this Sunday that the only solution to the conflict with Israel is the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Pope’s declaration from Turkey reaffirms the Vatican’s longstanding position.
“We all know that at this moment Israel still does not accept this solution, but we believe it is the only solution,” the Pope told reporters on the plane transporting him from Turkey to Lebanon.
He emphasized that the Vatican maintains friendly relations with Israel and seeks to act as a mediating voice between the two sides, helping them move toward a just solution for all.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the other hand, has expressed opposition to a Palestinian state, especially after his major ally, the United States, showed support for Palestinian independence.
The Pope also said that he and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to him, Turkey plays an important role in helping bring both wars to an end.
During his visit to Turkey, the Pope warned that the future of humanity is at risk due to the unprecedented number of bloody conflicts worldwide and condemned violence carried out in the name of religion.
