Israeli President Herzog and Pope Leo XIV discuss global Jew-hatred, interfaith ties ahead of Christmas

Pope Leo XIV and Israeli President Isaac Herzog discussed on Wednesday the rise of global Jew-hatred and Israel's diverse Christian communities ahead of the upcoming Christmas holiday. The two leaders also discussed the recent Islamist massacre of 15 Jews at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia.

Herzog conveyed in the phone call warm holiday greetings to the pope and Christian communities worldwide, while stressing the need for a united global front against Jew-hatred. He also expressed pride in the Holy Land’s thriving and diverse Christian communities. Herzog said he plans to convene the heads of the various local Christian communities at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem for an annual meeting in the near future.

Pope Leo reportedly stressed the Vatican’s embrace of interfaith dialogue and agreed that Jew-hatred must be confronted and defeated.

The leaders concluded by both expressing hope for peace and a brighter future for the world in the upcoming year 2026.

Pope Leo, who recently visited Turkey and Lebanon, publicly expressed the Vatican’s support for the internationally favored two-state solution in the Middle East.

“For years now, the Holy See has publicly supported the proposal for a two-state solution,” the U.S.-born Pope stated.

“We all know that Israel does not yet accept this proposal,” he continued. Yet, the pope argued, “We see it as the only solution that could offer a resolution to the ongoing conflict they are constantly living through.”

“We are also friends with Israel and we are seeking to be a mediating voice between the two parties that might help them close in on a solution with justice for everyone,” Pope Leo added.

The late Catholic Church leader, Pope Francis, had criticized Israel's self-defense operations against the terrorist organization Hamas during the Gaza War.

In December 2024, Pope Francis appeared to blame Israel for the destruction in the Gaza Strip.

“And with pain, I think of Gaza, of so much cruelty, of the children being machine-gunned, of the bombings of schools and hospitals. What cruelty,” Pope Francis said at the time. He also attended a history revisionist display of baby Jesus dressed in a keffiyeh, which implied that Jesus was a “Palestinian” Arab rather than Jewish. These actions led to a deterioration in diplomatic relations between the Vatican and the Jewish state.

By contrast, Pope Leo has tried to repair the Vatican’s ties with Jerusalem.

In September, Pope Leo hosted Herzog at the Vatican. Following the meeting, the Vatican announced that the Pope was calling for “a speedy resumption of negotiations so that, with willingness and courageous decisions, as well as the support of the international community, the release of all hostages can be achieved, a permanent ceasefire reached with urgency, the safe entry of humanitarian aid into the most affected areas be facilitated, and full respect for humanitarian law be ensured, together with the legitimate aspirations of the two peoples.”

Pope Leo also reportedly stated that “a two-state solution is the only way out of the current war.”

Herzog responded at the time by thanking the pope for hosting him just months after his election as the first American-born pope.

“The very fact that Pope Leo XIV, who has just entered his office, receives the president of the State of Israel at the Vatican is a very important statement,” Herzog said.

“It shows the great importance of the relationship between the Holy See and the State of Israel, and of course with the Jewish people. The issues at hand are extremely sensitive and weighty these very days.”