Pope Leo XIV welcomed Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to the Vatican for their first in-person meeting since Leo became head of the Catholic Church. The two leaders discussed the urgent need to provide assistance to civilians in Gaza and called for an end to the conflict through a two-state solution. The meeting took place nearly a decade after the Vatican formally recognized the state of Palestine, and comes amid a fragile ceasefire following years of violence. Abbas also paid tribute to the late Pope Francis, acknowledging his support for the Palestinian people, before planning to meet with Italy's prime minister.