President Herzog meets Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican

President Herzog: “Tomorrow will mark the 700th day since our brothers and sisters were kidnapped – 48 of them are still in Gaza – we must do everything possible to bring them home as soon as possible.”

President Isaac Herzog met today, Thursday, with Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican. He also met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Vatican Secretary for Relations with States Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

In his meetings, President Herzog spoke of the ongoing efforts to return the hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for nearly 700 days. He stressed that 48 hostages remained in captivity, spoke of the immediate and grave danger they faced, and the pain and anguish of their families. He called for intensified international efforts to secure their swift release, and asked of the Pope to meet with the families of the hostages.

The meetings also addressed the rise of antisemitism worldwide, the importance of protecting minorities in the Middle East, particularly Christian communities and the Druze community in Syria, as well as the wellbeing of Christian communities in Israel, Judea and Samaria, and Gaza. The Vatican officials raised the issue of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the discussions also touched on interfaith dialogue and additional bilateral and regional matters.

Afterward, President Herzog visited the Vatican Archives and Library.

President Herzog concluded his visit, saying: “The very fact that Pope Leo XIV, who has only just begun his tenure, received the President of the State of Israel in the Vatican is a very important statement. It reflects the great significance of the relationship between the Holy See and the State of Israel, and of course with the Jewish people, and the importance of the very sensitive issues and challenges we experience today.

“In my conversations with the Pope, with the Vatican Secretary of State and Secretary of Relations with States, several topics were raised. First and foremost, the need and duty to free the hostages and bring them home. I told them that tomorrow marks 700 days since the terrible disaster of October 7, since our brothers and sisters were kidnapped, 48 of whom are still in Gaza, and that they must be brought back as quickly as possible, with the utmost urgency. Some to for healing at home, and others tragically to be laid to rest in dignity.

“We also spoke about the issue of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and I described the enormous Israeli efforts currently underway to facilitate the delivery of aid to the civilian population of Gaza. Efforts which have significantly changed the situation, the facts, and the reality on the ground. We also discussed the joint fight against antisemitism, and how it must be pursued uncompromisingly.

“We talked about wider developments in the Middle East, and about the need and duty for deep interfaith dialogue. I invited the Pope to visit Israel, as his predecessors have done. We would be very pleased to welcome him in the Holy Land.

“We also spoke about the importance of the Christian denominations and communities in the Middle East, in Judea and Samaria, Gaza, and of course in Israel. I spoke about the wonderful communities that exist in Israel, the duty and the need to preserve and protect them, and I reiterated Israel’s clear commitment to freedom of religion, of worship, and to the development and protection of Christian communities in the Holy Land.”