Pope Leo XIV Condemns Rising Violence, Reaffirms Palestinian Right to Sovereignty
VATICAN CITY — In one of his most direct interventions regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East to date, Pope Leo XIV has issued a stern condemnation of the recent escalation of military actions in the Palestinian territories. Speaking from the Vatican on Thursday, the Pontiff addressed the deteriorating security situation, emphasizing the rights of the Palestinian people in language that diplomatic observers have described as notably assertive.
“Sadly there’s been an increase in violence against the Palestinian population which has the right to live in peace in ITS OWN LAND,” Pope Leo stated, placing particular emphasis on the concept of territorial sovereignty. The capitalization of the phrase in the transcript released by the Holy See Press Office underscores the Vatican’s deepening concern over the lack of progress toward a two-state solution and the continued displacement of civilians.
The statement comes amidst reports of intensified military operations in Gaza and the West Bank, which have resulted in a significant number of civilian casualties over the past week. While the Holy See has traditionally maintained a carefully balanced diplomatic neutrality, Pope Leo’s latest remarks reflect a growing frustration with the prolonged hostilities and the humanitarian crisis that has gripped the region for nearly two years.
Since his election in May 2025, the first American-born Pope has frequently called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, urging international powers to intervene to stop what he has previously termed the “barbarity of war.” Today’s address, however, marks a shift by explicitly linking the cessation of violence to the fundamental right of Palestinians to inhabit their land securely—a stance that aligns with the Vatican’s long-standing support for a two-state solution but articulates it with renewed urgency.
Vatican insiders suggest that the Pope’s comments were also a response to recent stalled negotiations and the expansion of settlements, which the Holy See views as obstacles to lasting peace. “The Holy Father is reminding the world that peace cannot exist without justice, and justice includes the recognition of the rights of peoples to their homes and their future,” said a source within the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
The Pontiff’s words have already drawn reactions from international leaders. Humanitarian organizations working in the region welcomed the statement as a crucial moral spotlight on the suffering of the Palestinian population. Meanwhile, diplomatic channels remain active as the Vatican Secretariat of State continues to engage with both Israeli and Palestinian representatives, as well as mediators from the United States and the European Union, in an effort to broker a return to dialogue.
Pope Leo concluded his address with a prayer for the victims of the violence and a renewed appeal to political leaders to “silence the weapons and open the doors of negotiation,” warning that the continued cycle of retribution would only lead to further despair for all peoples in the Holy Land.
* alarabiya.net
