Israeli President Isaac Herzog met Thursday with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, urging increased international efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
“Tomorrow marks the 700th day since our brothers and sisters were kidnapped—48 of whom are still in Gaza,” Herzog told the pontiff. “We must do everything to return them as quickly as possible.”
The president’s visit included meetings with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States. Herzog stressed the urgent danger facing the hostages, including women, and requested that Vatican leaders meet with the families.
Herzog said the discussions covered a broad range of issues, including the rise of antisemitism, protection of minorities in the Middle East, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He highlighted the importance of safeguarding Christian communities in Israel, Judea and Samaria, Gaza, and the wider region, as well as the Druze community in Syria.