Pope Leo XIV stated on Sunday that the only solution to the decades-long conflict between Israel and Palestinians must include the establishment of a Palestinian state, reaffirming the Vatican's position on this issue.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, added in comments to journalists aboard a plane flying from Turkey to Lebanon, "We all know that Israel still does not accept this solution yet, but we see it as the only solution."
Speaking in Italian, the Pope said, "We are also friends of Israel and we seek to be a mediating voice between the two parties to help them approach a solution that achieves justice for all."
The Pope's remarks came during a brief eight-minute press conference focusing on his visit to Turkey, which began on Thursday and continued through Sunday. This was his first foreign trip since his election in May as the leader of the Catholic Church.
The Pope also stated that he discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as the Russian-Ukrainian conflict with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and confirmed that Turkey is playing an important role in helping to end both wars.
