Leo XIV held telephone conversations this Good Friday morning with the presidents of Israel, Isaac Herzog, and Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, in which he reiterated the importance of opening avenues of dialogue in both the Middle East and Ukrainian wars.
Dialogue for peace in the Middle East
The Pope reiterated to the Israeli President “the need to reopen all possible channels of diplomatic dialogue, in order to put an end to the serious conflict in progress, with a view to a just and lasting peace in the entire Middle East”. And he also addressed, according to has reported the Vatican press office, the importance of “protecting the civilian population and promoting respect for international and humanitarian law”.
The conversation follows the unfortunate incidents on Palm Sunday in the Old City of Jerusalem, when Israeli police prevented Catholic leaders from celebrating Mass and the liturgy of the day in the Church of the Holy. Sepulcher.
President Herzog had called to the Latin Patriarch Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizzaballa, to “express my deep regret for the unfortunate incident that occurred this morning in the Old City of Jerusalem”.
He clarified that the incident was due to “security concerns over the continued threat of missile attacks by the Iranian terrorist regime against the civilian population in Israel, following previous incidents in which Iranian missiles landed in the Old City area of Jerusalem in recent days,” the Israeli president explained.
Today, collection for the Holy Places
In addition, on Good Friday, the traditional Pontifical Collection for the aid of Christians in the Holy Land takes place, called the "Pontifical Collection for the aid of Christians in the Holy Land". Day for the Holy Places 2026, The Commissariat of the Holy Land of the Immaculate Conception in Spain is present in the bishoprics, parishes, convents, brotherhoods, religious schools, etc., of the 48 dioceses that comprise the territory of this Commissariat of the Holy Land of the Immaculate Conception in Spain.
“The aim is to collect contributions from the faithful to help the Christians of the Holy Places”, “especially in need after more than two years with hardly any income because of the war. We hope that the pilgrimages will continue to grow in strength, since they are the other main source of their income”.
These are the words of the team of the Commissariat of the Custody of the Holy Land, led by the Commissioner Fr. Pedro González González, ofm, and the Vice-Commissary Fr. reported Omnes.
Pope to Zelensky: reach cessation of hostilities as soon as possible
Also this Good Friday morning, Pope Leo held a meeting with a conversation Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine.
“In the cordial conversation, the Holy Father expressed his best wishes on the occasion of the Easter holidays, reiterating his closeness to the Ukrainian people,” the Vatican reported.
The humanitarian situation was then addressed, “reiterating the urgency of guaranteeing the necessary aid to the population affected by the conflict.
Reference was also made to efforts to promote initiatives of a humanitarian nature, especially with regard to the release of prisoners”.
Finally, the Vatican communiqué notes, “the desire was renewed that, with the commitment and collaboration of the international community, a cessation of hostilities and a just and lasting peace may be achieved as soon as possible”.
Tonight, Stations of the Cross
This afternoon the celebration of the Passion of the Lord will take place in St. Peter's, followed by the Way of the Cross in the Roman Colosseum, the Flavian Amphitheater, where the Holy Father will carry the Cross at each station.
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