Camille Naredo

Pope Leo XIV addresses the crowd during the weekly general audience at St Peter's Square in The Vatican on May 21, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV addresses the crowd during the weekly general audience at St Peter's Square in The Vatican on May 21, 2025. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)

Article (news)

Pope Leo

Reuters Wires

<p>Pope Leo called on Sunday for an end to violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, amid a surge of attacks by militant settlers and a siege in the territory&#x27;s village of Qusra.</p><p>Israeli settlers encircled houses after cutting off water and electricity, in what rights groups have said is a concerted effort to seize more land, and further eat into territory where Palestinians aim to establish a state.</p><p>&quot;I renew my appeal for an end to the repeated violence against the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank,&quot; the Pope said, without mentioning specific confrontations or attacks.</p><p>&quot;I urgently ask the international community to take action so as to advance the two-state solution, for a fair and lasting peace,&quot; the Pope added after noon prayers at his Castel Gandolfo residence outside Rome.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/7/27/israeli-settlers-torch-2-mosques-in-west-bank-0824" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">READ: Israeli settlers torch 2 mosques in West Bank—Palestinian officials</a></div><p>The Vatican has long backed the idea of a future Palestinian state, which has been recognized by more than 150 of 193 U.N. member states as encompassing the Gaza Strip and West Bank, including East Jerusalem.</p><p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&#x27;s right-wing coalition government has overseen massive settlement construction in the West Bank that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says is aimed at burying the idea of such a state.</p><p>The United Nations and most governments consider the settlements to be illegal under international law related to military occupation. Israel seized the West Bank in the 1967 war, but argues the territory is disputed rather than occupied.</p><div><strong>(Production: Claudia Chieppa; Writing: Valentina Za)</strong></div>

<p>Pope Leo called on Sunday for an end to violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, amid a surge of attacks by militant settlers and a siege in the territory's village of Qusra.</p>

Pope Leo called on Sunday for an end to violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, amid a surge of attacks by militant settlers and a siege in the territory's village of Qusra.

Pope Leo calls for end to violence in West Bank, urges two-state solution

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

World

Pope Leo calls for end to violence in West Bank, urges two-state solution

Reuters

Published August 16, 2026 10:19 PM PHT

Read More:

Pope Leo

Catholic Church

West Bank

Gaza

Palestine

Israel

Vatican

religion

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.