This morning, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received a telephone call from His Excellency Mr Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, concerning the alarming developments in the conflict in the Middle East and the living conditions of the Palestinian people.

During the conversation, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to achieving peace through political and diplomatic dialogue, as well as through full respect for international law.

From the Vatican, 16 March 2026