He said today that the only solution to the long-running conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people must include a Palestinian state, confirming the Vatican’s position.
“We all know that at this point in time Israel still doesn’t accept that solution, but we think it’s the only solution,” Leo, the first American pope, told reporters aboard the plane that took him from Turkey to Lebanon in his first in-flight news conference.
“We are also friends with Israel and we seek to be a mediating voice between the two sides that might help them reach a solution with justice for all,” the pope added, speaking in Italian.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his opposition to a Palestinian state after his biggest ally, the US, showed support for Palestinian independence.
Leon spoke in a brief eight-minute press conference focused on his visit to Turkey, which ran from Thursday until today, his first trip abroad since being elected in May as the leader of the Catholic Church.
The pope said that he and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. Turkey has an important role to play in helping to end the two wars, Leon said.
During his visit to Turkey, the pope warned that the future of humanity is at risk due to the unprecedented number of bloody conflicts in the world and condemned violence in the name of religion.
Leon, who usually prefers to use careful, diplomatic language, earlier this year stepped up his criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Leon praised Turkey as an example of religious coexistence.
“People of different religions can live in peace,” the pope said. “It’s an example of what I think we could all aspire to around the world.”
Leo visits Lebanon until the day after tomorrow, Tuesday, when he returns to Rome.
