Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the Holy See's commitment to a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during his first official news conference as pope, held aboard his flight from Istanbul to Beirut. He described this approach as the 'only solution' capable of ensuring justice for both sides, acknowledging Israel's current opposition but emphasizing the Vatican's role as a mediator. The pope also discussed Turkey's involvement in peace efforts for both Gaza and Ukraine, expressing hope that Turkish leadership would continue facilitating dialogue.

During his trip, Pope Leo focused on commemorating the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which established a foundational Christian creed. He met with Orthodox leaders and proposed a joint celebration in Jerusalem for the 2,000th anniversary of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection in 2033, aiming to foster greater unity among Christian denominations.