Pope Leo XIV met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the Vatican yesterday, just days after appealing for Israel and Hamas to stop the violence and for Hamas to release the hostages it has held since attacking Israel in October 2023. Source: CNS.
Mr Herzog, Pope Leo and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin spoke about “the political and social situation in the Middle East … where numerous conflicts persist, with particular attention to the tragic situation in Gaza”, the Vatican said.
“A prompt resumption of negotiations was hoped for so that, with openness and courageous decisions, as well as with the support of the international community, it would be possible to secure the release of all hostages, urgently achieve a permanent ceasefire, facilitate the safe entry of humanitarian aid into the most affected areas, and ensure full respect for humanitarian law, as well as for the legitimate aspirations of both peoples,” the Vatican said.
The statement echoed what Pope Leo said on August 27, when he called on Israel to ensure the safe entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and full respect for humanitarian law, including full observance of “the duty to protect civilians and the prohibitions against collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force and the forced displacement of populations”.
The meeting was preceded by unusual public statements about who initiated it.
Mr Herzog’s office announced on Tuesday that the president “will depart on Thursday morning for a one-day visit to the Vatican at the invitation of the Pope”.
But, saying he was responding to reporters’ questions, Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, said, “It is the Holy See’s practice to grant requests for an audience with the Pope made by heads of state and government; it is not its practice to extend invitations to them.”
Posting on X after the meeting, Mr Herzog focused on the hostages.
“All leaders of faith and goodwill must stand united in calling for the immediate release of the hostages as the first and essential step toward a better future for the entire region,” he wrote.
FULL STORY
Pope meets Israeli president, discusses ‘tragic’ situation in Gaza (By Cindy Wooden, CNS)
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