Pope Leo XIV: Holy See’s Support for Palestinian Statehood Rooted in Two-State Solution amid Gaza War Crisis

Pope Leo XIV has reaffirmed the Holy See’s long-standing support for the two-state solution, even as the war in Gaza continues to devastate lives and erode hopes for dialogue.

Speaking to journalists Tuesday evening as he departed Castel Gandolfo for the Vatican, the Pope declared: “The Holy See has supported the two-state solution for many years. We must seek a path that respects all peoples.”

Asked about recent moves by some states to recognize Palestine as a state, Pope Leo underlined that the Vatican had long ago embraced this path: “The Holy See recognized the two-state solution some time ago. That is clear.”

He acknowledged that recognition could help but warned that negotiations remain frozen: “It could help, but right now there is no real willingness to listen on the part of the other side; dialogue is broken.”

War in Gaza: Human Cost and Crisis

The Gaza war has brought catastrophic consequences for civilians. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed and 166,985 wounded since the conflict erupted in October 2023, Al Jazeera reported.

Most of the casualties are civilians. Data reviewed by The Guardian indicates that in recent months up to 15 out of every 16 people killed have been non-combatants.

The humanitarian crisis has also displaced nearly the entire population. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) estimates that almost 90 percent of Gazans, about 1.9 million people, have been forced from their homes.

Infrastructure has been shattered. Thousands of homes, schools, hospitals, and water and sanitation systems have been destroyed, according to Oxfam and humanitarian assessments. Oxfam America also warns of famine-like conditions, with shortages of food, clean water, medicine, and fuel worsening daily.

The economic collapse is profound, with unemployment soaring and social networks broken. Observers note that beyond the physical damage, the war has inflicted deep psychological and spiritual wounds.

Pope Leo Responds to the Crisis

Amid this suffering, Pope Leo confirmed that he had spoken directly with the Catholic parish in Gaza earlier in the day: “Thank God, the parish is fine, although the incursions are getting closer and closer.”

On the broader conflict, he cautioned against further escalation: “Someone is seeking an escalation. It’s getting more and more dangerous. I continue to insist on the need to lay down arms, halt military advances, and return to the negotiating table.”

The Pope added that a united Europe could play an influential role in promoting peace: “If Europe were truly united, I believe it could do a lot.”

Finally, he stressed that the Holy See continues to work through diplomatic channels: “We are in constant dialogue with ambassadors. We also try to speak with heads of state when they come, always seeking a solution.”