Israel president meets with Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV met Thursday with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, as Israel presses ahead with a planned offensive in Gaza and the Vatican urging an immediate ceasefire and return of hostages taken by Hamas.

1news.media informs, citing AP, Herzog’s motorcade arrived at the Apostolic Palace and the president was escorted into the frescoed halls past a phalanx of Swiss Guards.

Herzog’s office said ahead of the meeting that talks were expected to focus on efforts to release hostages, fight antisemitism globally and safeguard Christian communities in the Middle East.