A Palestinian state is the only way to end the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people, Pope Leo XIV has said. The head of the Catholic Church told journalists on a flight to Lebanon that Israel does not accept a Palestinian state at the moment but a two-state framework would be the only way to justice.

Large crowds welcomed Pope Leo XIV in Lebanon, where he delivered a message of unity as he attempts to engage young people in the region. NBC News’ Molly Hunter has the details on the pope's visit.

We are learning a little more about how Pope Leo intends to carry out his duties, writes Religion Editor Aleem Maqbool.

During the Mass, Leo urged Turkey’s small Catholic community to forge “bonds of unity” with other Christians and people of other faiths as an invitation to become peacemakers.

The Diocese of Corpus Christi announced today that Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Mario Alberto Avilés, C.O. as the ninth Bishop of Corpus Christi, succeeding Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey who has led the diocese since 2010.

The ITA Airways flight accompanying Pope Leo on his first international Apostolic Journey was forced to make an urgent safety repair over the weekend. The Airbus was a part of the more than 6,000 aircrafts requiring a software update.

Pope Leo XIV has doubled down on the Holy See’s insistence on a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

The best way to describe him is as the anti-polarization pope. His biggest issues are peace and unity. He knows he’s operating in a context where very few world leaders are talking that way. It’s not a collaborative world. He’s looking at a polarized landscape and responding to it.