Pope Leo made an unexpected appearance for foreign journalists on his flight to Lebanon, the second stop on his inaugural foreign trip, and said establishing a Palestinian state is “the only solution” to the long-running Israeli‑Palestinian conflict. He said the Vatican remains committed to acting as a mediator and is advocating for a resolution that secures justice for all affected.
His visit comes amid renewed violence in Lebanon tied to clashes between Israel and the Iran‑backed Hezbollah. Israeli strikes have targeted positions in southern Lebanon and have also hit areas in Beirut. A week before the pope’s arrival, Israeli forces killed a senior commander of the Iran‑backed group in Beirut, an incident that has further heightened tensions in the capital.
Local residents and officials have expressed concern that the strikes could escalate while the pope is in the country and afterward, as Israel has discussed the possibility of expanding military action. For the moment, Pope Leo said the Vatican will concentrate on promoting mediation and seeking justice for all parties affected by the region’s conflicts.
Chris Livesay reported from Beirut for CBS News; Jericka Duncan contributed reporting.