Speaking aboard his flight from Istanbul to Beirut during his first in-flight news conference since becoming pope, Leo said he discussed both the wars in Gaza and Ukraine during his private meeting in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He noted that Turkey has already played a role in facilitating low-level contacts between Kyiv and Moscow, and expressed hope that Erdogan would continue engaging Russia, Ukraine and the United States to push toward a ceasefire and lasting peace.
Turning to the Middle East, Leo reiterated the Holy See’s long-standing position that the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel is essential to ending the conflict. While acknowledging that Israel currently rejects the proposal, he stressed that the Vatican sees no alternative that can achieve “a solution with justice for all.” He added that the Holy See remains “a friend to Israel” and attempts to maintain dialogue with both sides in hopes of bringing them closer to a political settlement.
The pope’s remarks come as the Gaza war has renewed global momentum behind Palestinian state recognition, with multiple countries adding their support at the UN General Assembly this year. Israel has shown no sign of shifting its stance; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently declared that his opposition to Palestinian statehood “has not changed one bit.”
Although Leo avoided public references to Gaza during his Turkish visit, his comments to reporters underscored the Vatican’s belief that diplomacy rooted in justice and coexistence remains critical. The rest of his trip focused on commemorating the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea in Iznik and promoting unity among Christian denominations. He met leading Orthodox patriarchs and suggested a joint gathering in Jerusalem in 2033 to mark the 2,000th anniversary of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ — a proposal that was warmly received.
