VATICAN CITY, April 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Pope Leo XVI had telephone conversations Friday ahead with the presidents of Israel and Ukraine in which he wished for peace amid ongoing wars, the Vatican said.
The American-born pope spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and, separately, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, in which the humanitarian situation in each war zone was discussed, the Vatican said in individual statements.
The pope and Herzog "reaffirmed the need to reopen all possible channels of diplomatic dialogue to bring an end to the serious ongoing conflict, with a view to achieving a just and lasting peace throughout the Middle East," a statement said.
"The conversation also focused on the importance of protecting the civilian population and promoting respect for international and humanitarian law," it added.
The calls happened as the pontiff was observing the Catholic Holy Week leading up to Easter on Sunday, and while Herzog was marking Jewish Passover into next week, and as Zelensky, a Jew, was preparing to see Ukraine celebrate Orthodox Easter, which this year falls on April 12.
Pope speaks with Israeli, Ukrainian presidents: Vatican
FE Team | Published: April 03, 2026 23:43:43
Pope speaks with Israeli, Ukrainian presidents: Vatican
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