Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday (November 6) met Pope Leo at the Vatican as part of his visit to Italy.

Abbas also visited Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major to pay tribute at the tomb of the late Pope Francis on Wednesday (November 5), calling him “a close friend of the Palestinian people.”

Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for nearly 12 years, was widely seen as an advocate for peace and dialogue in the Middle East.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VATICAN CITY (NOVEMBER 6, 2025) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access All)

1. PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS ARRIVING TO MEET POPE LEO

2. SWISS GUARDS

3. ABBAS ARRIVING

4. ABBAS AND POPE LEO SHAKING HANDS

5. VARIOUS OF ABBAS AND LEO POSING FOR PICTURES AND TAKING THEIR SEATS

6. LEO AND ABBAS POSING FOR PICTURES

7. VARIOUS OF POPE LEO AND ABBAS EXCHANGING GIFTS

8. LEO AND ABBAS POSING FOR PICTURES WITH DELEGATES

9. LEO AND ABBAS SHAKING HANDS