Pope Leo on Tuesday praised U.S. President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza, and expressed hope that the Palestinian militant group Hamas would endorse it.
Pope Leo XIV holds a Jubilee audience on the occasion of the Jubilee of Catechists in St.Peter's Square at the Vatican, September 27, 2025. Reuters/Francesco Fotia
Pope Leo on Tuesday praised U.S. President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza, and expressed hope that the Palestinian militant group Hamas would endorse it.
"There are very interesting elements" in the plan, the pope was quoted as saying by Italy's ANSA news agency. "I hope Hamas will accept it within the established timeframe."
Hamas was not part of the talks that led to the proposal, which calls on the group to disarm, a demand it has previously rejected. It has said it will review the plan in good faith and provide a response.
Leo spoke to reporters as he was leaving his Castel Gandolfo summer residence, which he has taken to visiting regularly.
He also commented on the international aid flotilla that is trying to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza, and which risks being attacked by Israel in the coming hours.
Israel has vowed to take all necessary measures to defend the naval blockade it has imposed on Gaza while it conducts its war against Hamas.
"From all sides, people are saying, 'Let's hope that there will not be violence, that people are respected.' That's very important," the pope said.
Reporting by Alvise Armellini
The U.S. struck Iran's coastal defenses and missile sites on Wednesday after reimposing a naval blockade of its ports, while Iran threatened to shut off more regional energy exports, saying it was engaged in an "existential war" with America.
The Syrian Liberal Party has called the passage of a modern Political Parties Law an urgent constitutional necessity, arguing it can no longer be treated as ordinary legislation but as a precondition for completing Syria's transitional phase.
Israeli leaders describe the territory now occupied in Lebanon as a war gain, but some military veterans see the so-called "buffer zone" as a deadly replay of a doomed strategy they experienced first-hand.
To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.
Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.