On Good Friday, as the Church commemorates the Passion of the Lord, Pope Leo XIV has held telephone conversations with the presidents of Israel and Ukraine, in which he insisted on the urgency of ending armed conflicts and advancing toward a stable peace based on respect for international law and the protection of the civilian population.
Call to the President of Israel: Reopen Dialogue
According to information from the Holy See, the Pontiff spoke with the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, on the occasion of the Easter celebrations.
During the conversation, the need to reopen “all possible channels of diplomatic dialogue” to end the serious ongoing conflict and achieve a “just and lasting” peace in the Middle East was reiterated.
Likewise, the Pope emphasized the importance of protecting the civilian population and promoting respect for international and humanitarian law, in a context marked by violence and suffering.
Ukraine: Closeness to the People and Humanitarian Urgency
The Holy Father also held a telephone conversation with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, to whom he conveyed his best wishes for the Easter season and expressed his closeness to the Ukrainian people.
During the dialogue, both addressed the humanitarian situation arising from the war, highlighting the urgency of ensuring that the necessary aid reaches those suffering the consequences of the conflict.
Release of Prisoners and End of Hostilities
In the conversation with the Ukrainian president, reference was also made to ongoing initiatives to promote humanitarian actions, especially regarding the release of prisoners.
The Pope also expressed his hope that, with the commitment and cooperation of the international community, the cessation of hostilities can be achieved as soon as possible and a “just and lasting” peace can be reached.