Pope tells Abbas he opposes forced displacement of Palestinians

Pope Leo has told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he opposes any forced displacement of Palestinians, the Vatican has stated. 

The Pope and Abbas' call marks their first meeting since Leo's papacy began in May 2025. 

The call follows Israel's bombing of Gaza's only Catholic church last week, for which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a rare statement of apology amid widespread condemnation.