Pope Leo XIV Slams Israel’s Stance on Two-State Solution During Lebanon Visit
Pope Leo XIV, the leader of the global Catholic Church, on Sunday criticized Israel’s approach to the Palestinian conflict in his first remarks upon arriving in Lebanon for an official visit, saying the regime does not adhere to the two-state solution, which is widely seen as the only viable path to end the conflict.
Speaking to reporters aboard his flight to Beirut, Pope Leo said that Israel explicitly rejects the two-state solution, despite it being the only route to peace and stability in the region. His comments come amid an escalation of violence and instability in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The pope is scheduled to spend 48 hours in the Lebanese capital, marking the second stop in his first official foreign trip since his appointment in May. Prior to Lebanon, he visited Turkey.
During his trip, Pope Leo met with senior Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri. In a public address to the people of Lebanon, he praised their resilience and described them as a nation united by a common language of hope.
The Catholic leader emphasized that lasting peace cannot be achieved without striving toward a future where good prevails over evil. He noted that some societal wounds, if left unhealed, may linger for generations. According to him, peace emerges when people are willing to make sacrifices and remain steadfast in the face of adversity.
His remarks also touched on the situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban’s repressive actions and exclusionary policies have blocked the path to peace and national reconciliation. He asserted that peace in Afghanistan can only be achieved through embracing diversity, engaging in intra-Afghan dialogue, and respecting the rights of all citizens.
