Two Peoples, Two States: Pope Leo XIV’s Path to Peace in the Middle East”

by Marco Baratto

On September 4, 2025, in the Vatican, a meeting of great symbolic and political significance took place: Pope Leo XIV received the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, at a time of dramatic tension in the Middle East. The visit, followed by talks with Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, took place against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in Gaza, violence in the West Bank, and uncertainty over the future of the region.

The statement from the Holy See Press Office was clear: the Pope and his collaborators emphasized the urgent need to resume negotiations, expressing hope for "the release of all hostages, a permanent cease-fire, the safe entry of humanitarian aid, and full respect for international humanitarian law." But at the heart of the Vatican's message was the firm reaffirmation of the two-state solution as "the only way out of the ongoing war."

A historic stance restated with force

The Holy See has long upheld this position. Since the 1990s, following the Oslo Accords, the Vatican has supported the idea of peaceful coexistence between two peoples through the creation of two independent and recognized states. However, in the September 4 statement, the formula did not appear as one option among many but rather as the only viable path forward.

This is a significant shift in tone: Leo XIV, continuing the commitment of his predecessors, elevates the two-state vision to a non-negotiable principle, presenting it as the sole horizon capable of bringing peace and stability. At a time when negotiations are frozen and dialogue seems impossible, the Vatican's call takes on the weight of a prophetic appeal—an invitation not only to Israelis and Palestinians but also to the international community to take bold and active steps toward peace.

Gaza and the West Bank: urgent concerns

The talks devoted particular attention to the "tragic situation in Gaza." For months, the Strip has been at the center of a conflict marked by mass civilian casualties, widespread destruction, and an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The Vatican insists that aid must reach the population without obstruction and reaffirms the primacy of humanitarian law, too often disregarded in the logic of war.

Equally important was the reference to the West Bank, where escalating violence, clashes, and tensions surrounding settlements threaten to derail any hope of future negotiations. The mention of Jerusalem once again highlighted the Holy See's deep concern for a city sacred to the three great monotheistic religions but still caught in political and territorial disputes. For decades, the Vatican has advocated for a special international status for Jerusalem to ensure the protection of holy sites and respect for the city's diverse religious communities.

The role of Christian communities

Another theme addressed in the talks was the condition of Christian communities in Israel, Palestine, and throughout the Middle East. The Holy See regularly emphasizes the historic and social value of Christians in the region—not only as custodians of a millennia-old faith tradition but also as promoters of social cohesion, education, and human development.

The future of Christians in the Middle East is precarious, threatened by political pressures, emigration, and conflict. By stressing their importance, Leo XIV and his collaborators signal their determination to defend these communities as an integral part of the region's fabric, capable of making an irreplaceable contribution to reconciliation.

A diplomacy of peace

The Pope's message falls within the framework of what has often been called the Vatican's "diplomacy of peace," which prioritizes dialogue, mediation, and respect for international law. While the Vatican lacks military or political power, its moral authority carries weight. The audience with Herzog, held at such a critical moment, was therefore far more than a gesture of diplomatic courtesy: it was a deliberate statement, calling both peoples—and indeed the entire world—to a sense of responsibility.

The appeal to the international community was anything but secondary. Leo XIV asked for external support to facilitate dialogue, aware that without external pressure and guarantees, progress will remain out of reach. The Pope's call for "courageous decisions" and "a readiness for negotiation" was directed not only at Israeli and Palestinian leaders but also at global powers—from the UN and the United States to the European Union and Arab nations.

Two States as the only way forward

Reasserting the two-state solution as "the only way out" means rejecting other approaches—such as unilateral annexations, indefinite status quo arrangements, or provisional fixes—as neither sustainable nor just. For the Holy See, peace cannot rest on imposition; it must be built on mutual recognition of both peoples' legitimate aspirations.

This message is all the more striking at a time when global opinion is divided and some actors openly question whether the two-state solution remains realistic. Leo XIV, however, insists: without justice and reconciliation, there will be no lasting peace.

Conclusion

The September 4 audience thus marked an important moment in Vatican diplomacy. It was not simply a formal meeting with Israel's president but an opportunity to reaffirm with clarity and determination the Church's position: two peoples, two states—the only path out of the cycle of violence.

In a Middle East torn apart by conflict and division, the voice of Leo XIV rises as a call to the world's conscience: peace is possible, but it demands courage, political will, and the recognition of every person's dignity. History will judge whether this appeal is heeded—or once again left as an unheeded warning.