Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, is beginning to define his diplomatic style with a measured yet determined approach to international conflicts, particularly the ongoing war in Gaza. Unlike his predecessor Pope Francis, who often made bold and spontaneous public remarks, Leo has favored behind-the-scenes diplomacy, relying on direct engagement with leaders and the Vatican’s experienced foreign policy team.
The pope’s approach was highlighted during his recent meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, the first such papal audience with an Israeli leader in seven years. While the talks were private, the Vatican issued an unusually detailed statement afterward, condemning the “tragic situation in Gaza,” urging a permanent ceasefire, and calling for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Vatican officials said Leo also reaffirmed support for a two-state solution, a stance long championed by the Holy See.
Leo’s diplomatic tone contrasts with Francis, who often drew headlines with unfiltered remarks, including a controversial suggestion in 2024 that Israel’s military campaign might amount to genocide. Analysts say Leo, now 69, is deliberately avoiding surprises, preferring impartial language that fits traditional Vatican diplomacy. “He wants to talk directly to interlocutors and use established channels,” observed Massimo Faggioli, a Vatican scholar.
The pope’s restraint was also visible following the July 17 strike on Gaza’s Catholic church that killed three people. While Francis had cultivated a close, personal relationship with the parish, even making nightly calls to its pastor, Leo responded with a more formal telegram of condolences and later held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, appealing for renewed negotiations and an end to hostilities.
Still, subtle gestures have marked Leo’s early papacy. Photographs of his meeting with Herzog showed him unsmiling, echoing Francis’s practice of using body language to convey diplomatic signals. Vatican officials also moved to correct Herzog’s claim that the visit was at the pope’s request, underscoring their intent to maintain neutrality and resist political spin. Observers believe Leo’s careful, understated approach could shape a steady and enduring papacy expected to last a decade or more.
