Pope Leo XIV met with Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican, where they discussed the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Gaza and the importance of pursuing a two-state solution to resolve the ongoing conflict. The meeting, described as cordial, lasted about an hour and followed previous phone conversations between the two leaders regarding the situation in Gaza and the broader region. Pope Leo has consistently called for a permanent ceasefire and expressed solidarity with civilians affected by the war, reiterating his stance that a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace. Abbas's visit to Rome also marked the tenth anniversary of the agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine, and included a visit to the tomb of the late Pope Francis.