“These have been two very painful years. Two years ago, 1,200 people were killed in a terrorist attack. We must think about how much hatred exists in the world and begin to ask ourselves what we can do. In two years, around 67,000 Palestinians have been killed. We must reduce hatred, we must rediscover the ability to dialogue, to seek peaceful solutions.”

These were the words of Pope Leo XIV, speaking on the second anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, the beginning of a conflict that has devastated Gaza and led to thousands of Palestinian civilian deaths. 

The remarks were made to the journalists waiting for the Pope outside the entrance to Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo, where he had spent most of his Tuesday, October 7.

A stand against terrorism and antisemitism

Pope Leo condemned both terrorism and recent episodes of antisemitism, reaffirming the Gospel message of peace.

“It is certain,” he said, “that we cannot accept groups that engage in terrorism; this style of hatred in the world must always be rejected. At the same time, the existence of antisemitism, whether it is increasing or not, is concerning. We must always proclaim peace, and respect for the dignity of every person. This is the message of the Church.”

The power of unceasing prayer

Finally, the Pope invited all faithful to continue praying for an end to the bloody conflict in the Holy Land, and reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to promoting dialogue and reconciliation.

“The Church,” he said, “has asked everyone to pray for peace, especially during this month [of October]. We will also seek, in ways available to the Church, to promote dialogue at all times.”

Responding to a question about the critical reaction of the Israeli Embassy to an interview granted by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, to Vatican media, Pope Leo XIV said that “the Cardinal very clearly expressed the Holy See’s position on this matter.”

The trip to Turkey: A moment of unity

Today, the Holy See officially announced Pope Leo XIV’s first apostolic journey to Turkey and Lebanon, to take place from November 27 to December 2. The Pope was asked by journalists to explain the reasons for traveling to such a sensitive and politically tense region.

“The trip to Turkey,” he said, “is motivated by the anniversary of the 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea. I believe it’s a truly important moment. It’s a journey Pope Francis wanted to make. For all Christians, it will be a moment of genuine unity in faith. We must not miss this historic opportunity. But it’s not about looking back - it’s about looking forward.”

Bringing the consolation of the Gospel to Lebanon

His visit to Lebanon, meanwhile, Pope Leo said, is primarily intended to bring comfort to a people who have, since the Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020, suffered one blow after another. 

“In Lebanon,” the Pope explained, “I will have the opportunity to once again proclaim the message of peace in the Middle East, in a country that has suffered so much. Pope Francis wanted to go there too. He wanted to embrace the people of Lebanon after the explosion, after everything they’ve endured. We will try to bring this message of peace and hope.”