Pope Leo received President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine Nov. 6 at the Vatican, where the two discussed achieving a two-state solution with Israel and the “urgent need” for aid in Gaza, according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office.

The meeting was the first in-person encounter between the Holy Father and Abbas. The two spoke over the phone in July. 

“According to a July 21 statement from the Holy See Press Office,” CatholicVote reported at the time, “Abbas telephoned Pope Leo, who in the conversation ‘repeated his appeal for international humanitarian law to be fully respected, emphasizing in particular the obligation to protect civilians and sacred places, the prohibition of the indiscriminate use of force and of the forced transfer of the population.’”

The Vatican has formally recognized the State of Palestine since 2015, and both the late Pope Francis and Pope Leo have repeatedly called for a ceasefire and diplomatic efforts to arrive at a two-state solution throughout Israel’s two-year military campaign in Gaza.

In an interview marking the two-year anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin reiterated that the Holy See’s formal agreement with the State of Palestine “supports a Palestinian State that is independent, sovereign, democratic, and viable, encompassing the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.”

“That agreement envisions this State not as opposed to others, but capable of living side by side with its neighbors in peace and security,” Parolin said.

Abbas’ meeting with Pope Leo came a day after he visited the tomb of Pope Francis, Vatican News reported.

“I came to see Pope Francis because I cannot forget what he did for Palestine and for the Palestinian people,” Abbas told journalists outside the church after he had paid his respects, “and I cannot forget that he recognized Palestine without anyone having to ask him to do so.”

Abbas prayed silently at Pope Francis’ tomb for about 15 minutes, leaving behind a bouquet of flowers, Vatican News reported.