Pope Leo XIV Discusses Peace Plan Amid Ongoing Conflict
Pope Leo XIV shared his thoughts on President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan aimed at resolving the conflict involving Israel and Hamas, calling it “a realistic proposal” and urging Hamas to consider it. He expressed hope for its acceptance during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Since taking over as the head of the Catholic Church in May, Pope Leo has been vocal about the need to end the violence in Gaza, which is currently under Hamas control, as well as the situation in Ukraine.
“We really hope they will accept it. So far, it does seem like a viable option,” the Pope remarked, as reported by Vatican News. He emphasized that the plan contains “a very interesting element” and expressed a desire for Hamas to respond positively within the stipulated time frame.
During his address, Pope Leo also raised concerns about the urgency of action against climate change and was apprehensive about the Secretary of Defense’s military standards, especially his push for more physically dominating military leaders.
“I’m not quite sure how to phrase this,” he said, alluding to a significant military leadership meeting that was held. “Let’s just hope it’s mostly rhetorical.”
The Pope noted that while a different military approach could be effective, it’s essential to prioritize peace over conflict.
In a related development, President Trump announced a revamped 20-point plan addressing Hamas’s actions against Israeli civilians during meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This plan aims for a near-immediate cessation of hostilities and insists on the release of hostages taken since the onset of violence on October 7, 2023.
The proposal outlines that all hostages should be returned within 72 hours after Israel publicly agrees to the terms. In return, Israel would release numerous prisoners, including 250 individuals sentenced to life terms, and 1,700 Gazans arrested since the conflict escalated.
Furthermore, the plan advises against annexing Gaza and proposes governance through “non-political” bodies, with a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. The initial oversight would come from a “Peace Commission,” headed by Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The proposal also includes provisions for granting pardons to individuals committing to peaceful coexistence and disarmament. However, it doesn’t clarify measures for surveillance to prevent any resurgence of violence from specific terrorists. While individual terrorists could seek pardons, Hamas as a governing body would not be allowed to regain control in Gaza.
Support has flowed from various Israeli neighbors, with a consortium of foreign ministers from nations, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan, expressing backing for the plan in a letter. They refrained from mentioning Hamas but assured Trump of their confidence in his capacity to mediate the conflict.
The letter conveyed, “We appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his honest efforts to bring about an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.”
Several European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, endorsed the initiative. Macron praised Trump’s commitment to peace and voiced hope for Israel’s involvement in the new framework.
Pope Leo has identified the resolution of the Gaza conflict as a priority since his papacy. In a statement made earlier, he called upon Catholics to engage in fasting and prayer for peace, invoking the memory of the Virgin Mary as a figure of loyalty and tranquility.
