Herzog to Meet Pope Leo XIV at Vatican for High-Level Talks

Israeli President Isaac Herzog will travel to the Vatican on Thursday for a high-level meeting with Pope Leo XIV and Vatican Prime Minister Cardinal Pietro Parolin, his office confirmed. The one-day visit will focus on pressing humanitarian and diplomatic concerns, including efforts to secure the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, the fight against global antisemitism, and protection of Christian communities across the Middle East.

Herzog will also tour the Vatican Archives and Library before returning to Israel later the same day.

The meeting comes at a delicate moment in Israel-Vatican relations. In July, Pope Leo XIV voiced his sorrow over an Israeli airstrike that accidentally hit the Holy Family Catholic Church compound in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to several others, including the parish priest. Following the incident, the Pope publicly read the names of the victims and appealed for an end to the “barbarity of war.”

The Pope has maintained a dual message since the outbreak of war: consistently urging for a ceasefire in Gaza while also demanding the immediate return of Israeli hostages a position that has resonated with both Catholic and Jewish leaders.

Herzog’s visit is expected to reaffirm Israel’s commitment to religious freedom and interfaith dialogue, even amidst the ongoing war with Hamas. The Vatican has expressed concern over the humanitarian toll in Gaza, particularly among Christian minorities caught in the conflict. The issue is likely to feature prominently in discussions between Herzog and Vatican officials.

In July, Pope Leo also held a direct phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where he repeated his appeal for an end to hostilities and addressed the “dramatic” humanitarian crisis in the Strip.

As a symbolic and diplomatic encounter, Herzog’s visit to the Vatican underscores the importance of high-level religious diplomacy during times of war. It also offers an opportunity for both sides to reaffirm shared moral concerns, even as political complexities deepen.

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