Pope Leo the Fourteenth met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas at the Vatican, where both leaders emphasized the urgent need to assist civilians in Gaza. The meeting took place nearly a month after a fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, with discussions focusing on humanitarian aid and the pursuit of a two-state solution to end the conflict. The Vatican highlighted that this meeting occurred a decade after it formally recognized the state of Palestine. Abbas is also scheduled to meet with the Italian Prime Minister during his visit.