Pope calls for an end to violence in the West Bank and advocates for two States

The Pope makes an urgent call for peace and an end to violence in the West Bank

From the papal palace of Castelgandolfo, Pope Leo XIV issued a forceful appeal this Sunday, urging an immediate cessation of violent acts against the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank. After the Angelus prayer, the pontiff underscored the need for the international community to take an active role in reaching a solution based on two States, a factor he considers essential to guarantee a just and lasting peace in the region.

Context of a growing crisis

These statements come at a critical moment, marked by a notable increase in clashes and violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities. The climate of instability has raised alarms globally, with international organizations warning about the serious consequences of this escalation.

I reiterate my call for an end to the repeated acts of violence against the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank.

Pope Leo XIV

Various bodies, including the Human Rights Office, have expressed their concern regarding the increase in settlements and the threats that put the stability of the territory at risk. The situation has been described as a dangerous escalation that demands urgent diplomatic intervention.

Church Commitment in the Holy Land

In parallel to this message, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the highest Catholic authority in the Holy Land, reaffirmed the Church’s support for its faithful. During a mass celebrated in Taybeh, the last Christian-majority town in the occupied West Bank, the cardinal highlighted the importance of maintaining presence and community support in the face of growing aggression in the area.