A Palestinian state is the "only solution" to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Pope Leo XIV said on Sunday, reaffirming the Vatican's position.
"We all know that at this time Israel still does not accept that solution, but we see it as the only solution," Leo, the first American pope, told reporters on a flight from Turkey to Lebanon during his first in-flight press conference, foreign media write, according to the Telegraph.
"We are also friends with Israel and we are seeking to be a mediating voice between the two sides that can help them reach a solution with justice for all," the Pope added, speaking in Italian.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his opposition to a Palestinian state after his biggest ally, the United States, showed support for Palestinian independence.
Leo spoke in a brief eight-minute press conference focused on his visit to Turkey, which he visited from Thursday to Sunday in his first overseas trip since his election in May as leader of the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.
As stated further, the Pope said that he and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed both the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Turkey has an important role to play in helping to end both wars, Leo stressed.
During his visit to Turkey, the Pope warned that the future of humanity was at risk due to the unusual number of bloody conflicts in the world and condemned violence in the name of religion.
Leo, who usually prefers to use cautious and diplomatic language, added to the criticism earlier this year of Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
Turkey is predominantly Muslim, but it is also home to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the world's 260 million Orthodox Christians.
And Leo praised Turkey as an example of religious coexistence.
"People of different religions are able to live in peace," the Pope said. "This is an example of what I think we would all be looking for in the whole world."
Leo will visit Lebanon until Tuesday, when he returns to Rome. /Telegrafi/
