The Vatican has renewed its support for Palestinian statehood amid escalating tensions in the Israel-Hamas conflict, following France’s announcement of plans to formally recognize Palestine as a sovereign state.
In a July 27 editorial, Andrea Tornielli, editorial director of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, reaffirmed the Holy See’s position advocating for a two-state solution, calling for the urgent implementation of a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict.
Tornielli highlighted the Vatican’s longstanding diplomatic engagement with Palestine, referencing the 2015 treaty between the Holy See and the “State of Palestine,” which affirmed the Palestinian people’s right to an “independent, sovereign, democratic, and viable” state.
He also noted the consistent position of recent pontiffs: Pope Francis, who first publicly referred to the “State of Palestine” during his 2014 visit to the Holy Land; Pope Benedict XVI, who supported both Israeli statehood and Palestinian sovereignty; and Pope John Paul II, who in the 1990s established formal ties with both Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization.
France’s decision, announced by President Emmanuel Macron via a post on X, sparked international debate. Macron also called for Hamas’s demilitarization, release of Israeli hostages, and full Palestinian recognition of Israel. His proposal was swiftly rejected by Western allies including the U.S., U.K., Germany, Italy, and Australia. President Donald Trump dismissed Macron’s remarks, stating: “It’s not going to change anything.”
Macron is expected to formally announce the recognition at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
The move has triggered backlash from Jewish communities and Israeli leadership. The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France labeled the decision a “moral failure,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned it as dangerous, saying it would reward terrorism and pose existential threats to Israel.
Despite geopolitical opposition, the Vatican continues to advocate for a resolution grounded in coexistence and mutual recognition.
