Pope Leo XIV called on Sunday, August 16, for an end to continuing violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. In the official English transcript published by the Vatican after the Angelus, he also urged the international community to work toward progress on a two-state solution for a just and lasting peace. The remarks came at the end of the Sunday gathering in Castel Gandolfo.
What did the official statement say?
The Vatican’s official record sets out two connected requests. The first is an end to ongoing violence directed at the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank. The second is international work aimed at advancing a two-state solution. Pope Leo linked that political direction to the stated objective of a just and lasting peace.
A Vatican News report published the same day confirmed that the appeal followed the Angelus. It said Pope Leo renewed his request for an end to violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and called on the international community to secure progress toward a two-state solution. The central elements of the appeal therefore appear both in the official speech transcript and in the Vatican’s news service.
Where and how was the appeal delivered?
The official Vatican transcript shows that the remarks followed the Angelus prayer. Pope Leo addressed visitors gathered in Castel Gandolfo. An independent report from EWTN News published the same day also confirms that the appeal was delivered during the August 16 Sunday Angelus and centered on a two-state solution and an end to violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
None of these sources announces a new negotiating session, an agreement signed by the parties or a fixed diplomatic timetable. The Pope’s words are an appeal directed to the international community. That distinction matters: the statement records a request for an end to violence and progress toward a political solution, rather than the outcome of completed negotiations.
What does the two-state reference mean here?
The Pope’s statement does not present a new detailed negotiation plan. The official text does not set borders, a timetable or a method for talks. Instead, it asks the international community to work toward progress on the two-state solution. The verified scope of the August 16 remarks is therefore limited to ending violence and supporting international efforts toward a political settlement.
Vatican News said the Holy See has previously presented the two-state solution as a path for Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace and security within internationally recognized borders. The August 16 statement, however, did not announce a new diplomatic initiative, a meeting date or an agreement between the parties. It was an appeal rather than a report of completed negotiations.
What else did Pope Leo address?
At the end of the same appearance, Pope Leo also referred to the Mediterranean Games due to begin this week in Taranto, Italy. According to the official Vatican transcript, the event will include countries from Africa, Asia and Europe that belong to the Mediterranean region. He expressed hope that the competition would serve as a sign of peace and friendship for the peoples of the region and the wider world.
Vatican News added that four athletes from Athletica Vaticana, the Holy See’s official sports association, will take part in the Games. That message was separate from the West Bank appeal but followed the same theme of peaceful relations among communities.
The confirmed outcome of the August 16 remarks is that Pope Leo asked for an end to violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and for international work toward a two-state solution. Any subsequent diplomatic steps will need to be verified through official Vatican statements and announcements from the governments and international organizations involved.
