Two-state solution the ‘only’ way to resolve Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Pope Leo XIV says during Middle East visit

Pope Leo XIV strongly endorsed the two-state solution as he continued his visit to the Middle East on Monday, traveling from Turkey to Lebanon.

While speaking to reporters on the papal plane, the first American-born pope said, “For years now, the Holy See has publicly supported the proposal for a two-state solution.”

He noted that “We all know that Israel does not yet accept this proposal,” but emphasized that “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,” the 70-year-old leader added.

The comments provoked rare agreement between Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

Asked about the pope’s remarks, Lapid told JNS on Monday, “I think this is an Israeli-Palestinian problem, and I don’t see why the pope is interfering with this.”

“The same way we are not going to interfere with the question whether the Vatican should unite with Italy,” he said.

Lapid has expressed support for a Palestinian state in the past, but has argued against its establishment after Oct. 7.

Meanwhile, Ben Gvir has long opposed a Palestinian state, instead advocating for Israel to annex Judea and Samaria.

Responding to the pope’s comments, he told JNS, “Our Torah says that the solution is one state: a Jewish state.”

“That’s what our Torah says. And I believe in the Torah of Israel. This is what we believe,” he added, also calling on the pope to focus on “other matters.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed three weeks ago that “Our opposition to a Palestinian state in any territory west of the Jordan [River], this opposition is existing, valid, and has not changed one bit.”

During his time in Turkey, Pope Leo didn’t directly mention the Gaza War. When the pontiff received Israel’s President Isaac Herzog at the Vatican in September, he said he hoped for a quick “permanent ceasefire ” and reportedly added that “a two-state solution is the only way out of the current war.”

When asked by reporters on the plane on Monday whether he and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had spoken about the Gaza War in their private meeting, Pope Leo answered in the affirmative.

Turkey has an “important role to play” the conflict, the pope said, referencing the country’s efforts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.

In Turkey, Leo took part in the commemoration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, which happened in 325 A.D. in the present day town of Iznik.

The council produced the Nicaean Creed, a rare point of agreement among Catholic, Orthodox and most Protestant believers.

During a meeting with Orthodox patriarchs on Saturday, the pope also proposed to hold a joint commemoration of the 2,000th anniversary of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection in Jerusalem in the year 2033.

“Obviously is an event that all Christians want to celebrate,” the pope said. “We have years to prepare,” he said, adding that the patriarchs welcomed the proposal.