A MANHUNT IS UNDERWAY FOR MAN WHO SHOT A GRANITE CITY POLICE OFFICER MULTIPLE TIMES.(PHOTO).
Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed Sunday that a two-state solution remains the Holy See’s preferred path to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, describing it as the “only solution” capable of ensuring justice for both sides. He made the remarks during his first in-flight news conference while traveling from Istanbul to Beirut on the final leg of his inaugural foreign trip as pope.
The brief session, limited to two questions from Turkish journalists, marked Leo’s first formal news conference as pontiff, though he had previously fielded questions during informal gatherings at his residence. When he returns to Rome on Tuesday, a longer press session is expected. Leo confirmed that during his visit to Ankara, he discussed both the wars in Gaza and Ukraine with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, emphasizing Turkey’s significant role in facilitating dialogue, including low-level negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. “We hope Erdogan will continue his efforts to help achieve a ceasefire,” Leo said.
On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he reiterated the Holy See’s longstanding support for a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, noting that the Vatican officially recognized a Palestinian state in 2015. The two-state solution gained renewed momentum during the recent Israel-Hamas war, with additional countries formally recognizing a Palestinian state at the U.N. General Assembly. “We know that Israel does not accept this solution at this moment, but we see it as the only one that can offer justice for all,” Leo said. There was no immediate response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has consistently opposed the creation of a Palestinian state.
During his trip to Turkey, Leo largely avoided commenting directly on the Gaza conflict. Instead, he focused on commemorating the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in present-day Iznik, where bishops from across the Roman Empire established the Nicene Creed. Leo met with Orthodox patriarchs in Istanbul and proposed a joint celebration in Jerusalem in 2033 to mark the 2,000th anniversary of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection as a visible sign of Christian unity. “Obviously, it is an event that all Christians want to celebrate,” he said, noting that planning for the commemoration would begin well in advance.
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