Pope Leo XIV receives Isaac Herzog at the Vatican

Pope Leo XIV reportedly told Israeli President Isaac Herzog that that he hopes for a "permanent cease-fire" in Gaza and the release of the hostages held in the enclave, in a private meeting at the Vatican on Wednesday. 

In a statement released by the Holy See,  the pope hoped for "a permanent ceasefire reached with urgency, the safe entry of humanitarian aid into the most affected areas be facilitated, and full respect for humanitarian law be ensured, together with the legitimate aspirations of the two peoples.”

The Holy See reiterated its view that "a two-state solution is the only way out of the current war.”