This is one of the most anticipated moments of the trips: when the Pope answers questions from journalists aboard the papal plane. Pope Leo has already grown accustomed to responding to the press during his visits to Castel Gandolfo, but this was the first time he did so during a flight.
It was brief—about 10 minutes—in English and Italian. The Pope once again greeted the correspondents and answered two questions. The first was about the coexistence that now exists among religions.
POPE LEO XIV
In spite of religious differences, in spite of ethnic differences, in spite of many other differences, people can indeed live in peace. Turkey itself has had, of course, in its history, various moments when it was not always the case, and yet to have experienced that and to have been able to speak also with President Erdogan about peace, I think was an important element, worthwhile element of my visit there.
And, from questions regarding Turkey’s mediating role in conflicts, the topics of Ukraine and Russia arose, as well as that of Israel and Palestine. Pope Leo once again reinforced the Vatican’s position in favor of the two-state solution.
POPE LEO XIV
We all know that at this moment Israel still does not accept that solution, but we see it as the only one that could offer, let’s say, a way out of the conflict they continuously experience. We are also friends of Israel and we seek, let’s say, with both sides, to be a mediating voice that can help move toward a solution with justice for all.
There were also signs of what Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming trips might be in the short term. None of which have been confirmed so far, but where the Pope already has already set his sights is on a major reunion in a key place and on a key date.
POPE LEO XIV
Yesterday morning we talked about possible future meetings. One would be for the year 2033: 2,000 years—2,000 years—since the redemption and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is obviously an event that all Christians want to celebrate. The idea—the invitation, let’s say—was welcomed; we haven’t made any decisions yet, but there is the possibility of celebrating, for example, in Jerusalem, in 2033, this great event of the Resurrection.
This was the first round of questions, and it's very likely that upon his return from Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV will hold a second one, perhaps a bit longer, to answer more questions from the press.
CA
Trans. CRT
