Pope Reaffirms Support for Two-State Solution to Israel-Palestine Conflict

Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the Vatican's position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during a press conference aboard the papal plane traveling from Istanbul to Beirut. Speaking to reporters Sunday, he called the two-state solution "the only way" to end the ongoing conflict, even though Israel continues to reject this approach.

The Pope's comments came after his Thursday meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, where they discussed the Middle East situation. "Turkey has an important role to play in this process," Leo XIV said, noting that Erdogan fully supports the two-state proposal.

The Vatican has officially recognized Palestine as a state since 2015 and has consistently backed the two-state solution. This position puts the Holy See at odds with Israel's current stance, but the Pope emphasized that the Vatican maintains "friendly" relations with Israel and offers itself as a mediator between both sides.

Since taking office, Pope Leo XIV has been vocal about the Palestinian situation. He has expressed solidarity with what he calls "the martyred land of Gaza" and condemned forced displacement of Palestinians. His diplomatic approach focuses on dialogue rather than taking sides, positioning the Vatican as a potential bridge between the conflicting parties.

The papal plane press conference follows a tradition established by previous popes, where they address global issues during international trips. This latest statement reinforces the Vatican's long-standing diplomatic position on one of the world's most persistent conflicts, while highlighting Turkey's potential role in future peace efforts.