Pope Leo XIV received a telephone call from Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, on Monday morning. The conversation focused on the alarming developments in the Middle East conflict and the living conditions of the Palestinian people. The Holy See Press Office released a note detailing the contents of the call to journalists. The Pope reaffirmed the Holy See's commitment to achieving peace through political and diplomatic dialogue and respect for international law.
about 7 hours ago
Pope Leo XIV received a phone call from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the morning of March 16, 2026.1 2 3
The discussion centered on alarming developments in the Middle East conflict and the dire living conditions of the Palestinian people.1 2 3
The Pope reaffirmed the Holy See's commitment to peace through political and diplomatic dialogue, alongside full respect for international law.1 2 3
The call occurred amid recent Israeli strikes in Gaza and the West Bank, killing at least 16 people over the weekend, including police officers, civilians, a pregnant woman, and her family.2
Israel is engaged in a two-front war: an offensive in Iran since February 28, 2026, led with U.S. involvement, and operations in Lebanon since March 2 against Hezbollah.2 3
A ceasefire in Gaza from October 2025 has failed to halt strikes, with nine police and four civilians killed on March 15.3
On March 15, Pope Leo urged a ceasefire in the Middle East, lamenting two weeks of horrific violence killing thousands and displacing many.2
He expressed closeness to victims of attacks on schools, hospitals, and homes, including a U.S. missile strike on an Iranian girls' school killing 175, mostly children.2
The Pope voiced special concern for Lebanon, hoping for dialogue to resolve its crisis, following his 2025 visits there and to Turkey.2
Earlier, on March 13, he called on war leaders, including Catholic politicians like U.S. officials, to confess their roles in conflicts.2
The Holy See supports a two-state solution as the path to lasting peace, recognizing both Israel (1993) and Palestine (2015), and upholding Palestinian self-determination.3
Pope Leo has shown compassion for Gaza but taken a more cautious tone than Pope Francis, avoiding terms like "genocide."3
This aligns with Vatican advocacy at the UN and through popes for secure borders and equitable peace.3
Abbas and Pope Leo met in November 2025 at the Vatican, marking the 10th anniversary of the Holy See-Palestine agreement.2 3
They discussed aid for Gaza civilians and pursuing a two-state solution to end regional conflict.2
Investigate Catholic doctrine on diplomatic peace in conflict zones
Catholic doctrine consistently teaches that peace is a divine gift and a fundamental human aspiration, achievable primarily through diplomatic means such as dialogue, negotiation, mediation, and adherence to international law, even amid ongoing conflicts. The Church, through papal magisterium, positions diplomacy as the "soul of the international community," urging restraint from violence, promotion of reconciliation, and the protection of civilians in war-torn areas. This approach draws from Gospel principles (e.g., "Blessed are the peacemakers," Mt 5:9) and Vatican II's Gaudium et Spes, emphasizing justice, charity, and solidarity over force.
The Church's social teaching prioritizes non-violent resolution in conflict zones, viewing war as a "deception" and "always a defeat" that exacerbates suffering. Popes repeatedly affirm that diplomats must act as "architects of understanding" among nations, fostering security through interdependence rather than arms.
"Nothing is lost with peace; all may be lost with war. Let men return to mutual understanding. Let them begin negotiations anew!"
Diplomacy involves patient persistence, even when tensions escalate, as it counters the "contagion" of violence with dialogue's "contagious" potential. Force is morally permissible only under strict just war criteria—proportional, discriminate, and as a last resort after exhausting diplomatic avenues—but the doctrine stresses prevention through ethical negotiation. Violations of humanitarian law, such as indiscriminate civilian targeting in modern wars (e.g., Ukraine, Gaza), constitute war crimes demanding international enforcement.
The Holy See practices "positive neutrality"—not passive impartiality but active moral engagement to highlight conflicts' ethical dimensions, mediate disputes, and support multilateral institutions. It contributes to peace by appealing to consciences, promoting forgiveness, and backing treaties rooted in justice.
Historical examples include John Paul II's mediation in the Argentina-Chile border dispute (1984 Treaty of Peace and Friendship), where papal intervention, bolstered by episcopal prayers, averted war through "patient negotiation and necessary compromises." Similarly, addresses to diplomatic corps underscore the Church's support for envoys as peacemakers, knocking on "all doors" for rational agreements.
"The Holy See... seeks to promote such dialogue in the service of the common good, without advancing political, commercial, or military goals."
In contemporary crises, Pope Leo XIV and Francis advocate two-state solutions for Israel-Palestine, ceasefires, and aid, decrying violence against civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Papal interventions apply doctrine directly to hotspots:
Holy Land/Palestine-Israel: Calls for dialogue to realize legitimate aspirations, hostage release, humanitarian aid, and Jerusalem as a "city of encounter." Violence amid truces perpetuates crises; the two-state framework remains essential.
Ukraine: Appeals for ending aggression, healing wounds via "just and lasting peace," and rejecting escalation fueled by arms proliferation.
Syria, Africa (Sudan, Sahel, DRC), Myanmar: Diplomatic solutions respecting dignity, countering terrorism, and addressing humanitarian needs through negotiation.
Latin America (e.g., Ecuador-Peru, Haiti): Endorsement of peace declarations and democratic restoration via dialogue.
These reflect a pattern: prayer campaigns, episcopal collaboration, and urging leaders to prioritize solidarity over "Manichaean" divisions.
| Conflict Zone | Key Papal Emphasis | Supporting Actions Urged |
|---|---|---|
| Holy Land/Gaza/West Bank | Ceasefire, two-state solution, civilian protection | Dialogue, aid, hostage release |
| Ukraine | End bloodshed, just peace | Negotiation, conscience examination |
| Syria | Dialogue over violence | Prayer, political solutions |
| Africa (Sudan, DRC, etc.) | Humanitarian response to war/terrorism | International law enforcement |
| Historical (Argentina-Chile) | Mediation success | Patient compromise, episcopal prayer |
Doctrine integrates mercy into diplomacy, avoiding inflammatory rhetoric that stokes hatred, and promotes reconciliation as "positive and creative boldness." Challenges include arms races, inequality, and indifference, which diplomacy must counter via reformed international bodies and equitable resource distribution. While force may protect innocents if diplomacy fails (e.g., against aggressors ignoring law), the Church warns of escalation risks and insists on proportionality.
Perseverance is key: "in season and out of season, through negotiation, mediation and arbitration." Prayer and fasting complement efforts, as in Ash Wednesday calls for peace.
Catholic doctrine on diplomatic peace in conflict zones mandates exhaustive dialogue, Holy See mediation, and ethical diplomacy to safeguard human dignity, rooted in Christ's peace (Jn 14:27). Papal teachings from Paul VI to Leo XIV form a unified witness: prioritize negotiation, uphold humanitarian law, and foster fraternity amid crises like Ukraine and Gaza. This path, though demanding, yields "lasting peace and justice," modeling hope for the world.