*Pope Leo XIV and the Synodal Diplomacy for Peace in the Holy Land*

By Marco Baratto 

In a recent phone call with President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV once again demonstrated the Vatican's firm and evolving commitment to peace in the Holy Land. The Holy Father used the occasion to reiterate a fundamental appeal: that international humanitarian law be fully respected amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip and violence in the West Bank.

His words were sharp but balanced, calling for the protection of civilians and sacred places, denouncing indiscriminate violence and the forced displacement of populations.

These are not just moral stances, but expressions of what many are now calling *"synodal diplomacy"* — a term increasingly associated with Pope Leo XIV's approach to international relations.

Unlike traditional top-down diplomatic interventions, Pope Leo's method is rooted in dialogue, listening, and shared responsibility. It is a diplomacy that involves the entire Church, mobilizing voices from the local level up to the Roman Curia. A prime example of this is Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who has become a central figure in representing the Holy See's moral and pastoral concerns in the region. Through Pizzaballa, the Vatican is not only present but actively engaged in fostering reconciliation and resisting those who seek to weaponize religion for political agendas.

Moreover, the Pope's reminder of the tenth anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine signals a continuity of Vatican commitment to the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. It also underlines a desire for a just and lasting peace, where both Palestinians and Israelis can live in security and mutual recognition.

Pope Leo XIV's actions reflect a deeply pastoral yet politically astute leadership. His diplomacy does not aim to dominate, but to accompany. In an age where conflict is often inflamed by ideology, his is a quiet yet powerful voice for humanity, dignity, and peace.