British News Agency

Pope Leo XIV met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the first time to discuss the “urgent need” to provide greater assistance to civilians in the Gaza Strip.

According to a brief statement from the Vatican, Leo and Abbas held a “friendly” meeting that lasted about an hour. Abbas was invited to the Vatican to mark the tenth anniversary of the recognition of an independent Palestinian state.

“During their sincere discussions, they agreed on the urgent need to assist civilians in Gaza and to work toward a two-state solution to end the conflict,” the statement said.

Leo extended his condolences to the people of Gaza and condemned the forced displacement of Palestinians but said that the Vatican could not classify the events in Gaza as genocide.

Abbas arrived at the Vatican on Wednesday evening and paid his respects at the tomb of Pope Francis, saying, “I will never forget what he did for Palestine and the Palestinian people.” Abbas had met with Francis several times before, including in 2014 at meetings attended by then-Israeli President Shimon Peres.

Abbas is scheduled to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday.