Overview
- It was their first in-person meeting, lasted about an hour, and was described by the Holy See as cordial.
- The encounter came nearly a month after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect in Gaza, providing the backdrop for the talks.
- Abbas’ visit coincided with the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Holy See–State of Palestine agreement that formalized the Vatican’s recognition of Palestinian statehood.
- On arrival in Rome, Abbas laid flowers at the tomb of the late Pope Francis at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
- Pope Leo has expressed solidarity with Gazans and condemned forced displacement, while avoiding the term genocide in contrast to his predecessor’s harsher rhetoric.