LONDON

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Pope Leo XIV held a phone conversation Monday to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and the situation of the Palestinian people.

In a statement, the Vatican said the pontiff received a call from Abbas concerning the alarming developments in the regional conflict and the living conditions of Palestinians.

The statement said the pope reaffirmed the Vatican's "commitment to achieving peace through political and diplomatic dialogue, as well as through full respect for international law."

A ceasefire agreement in Gaza entered into force on Oct. 10, 2025, following the Israeli war that left more than 72,000 Palestinians dead and over 171,000 injured and destroyed about 90% of the enclave’s civilian infrastructure.

The UN has estimated reconstruction costs at around $70 billion.

Violence in the occupied West Bank has also increased since Feb. 28, when Israel and the US launched a joint operation against Iran.

Last week, the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said Israeli settlers carried out 192 attacks during the first two weeks of the Iran war, resulting in the killing of six Palestinians.