Pope Francis Meets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Amid Growing Criticism of Israel

On Thursday, Pope Francis met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican for their first face-to-face encounter in three years. This meeting comes amid heightened tensions over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where the pontiff has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of Israel's military actions. The private talks, which lasted about 30 minutes, were followed by discussions between Abbas and the Vatican's top diplomatic officials regarding the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with an emphasis on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

Abbas expressed gratitude to the pope for his support of a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in terms of a two-state solution. The Palestinian president is in Rome for a brief visit, during which he will also meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

While Pope Francis has traditionally maintained a neutral stance in global conflicts, his recent comments have taken a more critical tone, especially regarding Israel's military actions in Gaza. In November, the pope raised concerns about whether Israel’s military campaign might amount to genocide against the Palestinian people, a statement that sparked backlash from Israel’s ambassador to the Holy See.

During Thursday’s meeting, the pope also presented Abbas with a bronze artwork inscribed with the words "Peace is a fragile flower," a symbolic gesture he has offered to other world leaders. As the situation in Gaza and Lebanon continues to unfold, the pope's calls for peace and his criticisms of Israel’s actions remain a significant part of his diplomatic agenda.