Pope Leo, whose role in advocating for peace in Gaza has become notably stark since Israel struck the territory's only Catholic church last week, told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday that he opposed any forced displacement of Palestinians.

In a telephone conversation with President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine on Monday, Pope Leo XIV repeated his appeal for international humanitarian law to be fully respected. According to the Vatican,

Pope Leo XIV held a telephone conversation on Monday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza and escalating violence in the West Bank, the Holy See Press Office said.