Overview

• Herzog met the pontiff on Thursday in Vatican City and held a separate meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin before returning to Israel the same day.
• Israel’s presidency said discussions focused on efforts to free hostages held in Gaza, counter global antisemitism, and safeguard Christian communities in the region.
• Herzog’s office reported that humanitarian concerns were addressed during the talks, and it praised the pope’s moral leadership in promoting peace.
• The scheduling prompted a protocol dispute after Israel initially framed the audience as by papal invitation, which the Vatican spokesman rejected before sources described joint coordination.
• The encounter follows weeks of heightened strain as the Holy See pressed for a cease-fire, immediate hostage releases, and expanded aid, while Catholic groups such as Caritas and Pax Christi urged stronger papal action.