Pope Leo XIV. On Monday for the first time since the beginning of his pontificate, he phoned with Palestinian President Mahmuda Abbas. They spoke, among other things, about the conflict in the Gaza Strip and Violence on the West Bank of Jordan, writes TASR based on AFP and ANSA reports.
“The Holy Father reiterated his call for full compliance with international humanitarian law during the call In particular, he emphasized the obligation to protect civilians and sacred places, the ban on the indiscreet use of strength and the violent relocation of the population, ”Vatican wrote in a statement.
The Pope also stressed an urgent need to provide assistance to those who are most vulnerable as a result of conflictand allow adequate entry of humanitarian aid.
The phone call with Abbas followed the Pope spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday about the attack on the Catholic Church in Gaza, where three people died. Lion XIV. on Sunday condemned “barbarity” and “reckless use of force” during the war in Gaza and again called for a peaceful solution.
The Vatican supports a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and officially recognized Palestine’s statehood through an agreement in 2015 as one of the first European countriesand on June 26 it will be ten years since its signature. In 2014, the then Israeli President Simon Peres, along with Abbas and Pope Francis, planted a symbolic olive tree in the Vatican gardens.
