Pope Leo Should Go to Gaza
Why Pope Leo's presence could change the course of peace in the world's most troubled region.
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As a lay Catholic, it’s not my place to tell the pope what to do. But both Pope Leo and his predecessor, Pope Francis, have called on the faithful to speak up about the challenges facing the Church and the world.
That’s why today, I make a respectful case: Pope Leo’s first trip abroad should be to Gaza.
Pope Leo reads publications like this one.
And I’ve done everything I can to make sure this piece gets in the pope’s hands. If you agree with my argument, I hope you’ll say so in the comments. If you disagree — say that, too. He may be reading both this essay and your responses in the days ahead.
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From the bottom of my heart — thank you again. I’ll see you on the road.
— Christopher
When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo on May 8, 2025, his first words — “Peace be with you!” — echoed Christ’s resurrection greeting.
These words reverberate today as Gaza bleeds amid relentless conflict.
Leo, though known for thoughtful restraint compared to his impulsive predecessor Pope Francis, now faces a critical moment: visiting Gaza, and perhaps Tel Aviv and the West Bank, would not merely symbolize peace; it would embody sacramental love.
In Catholic tradition, signs and symbols are, indeed, substance.
Pope Francis showed this clearly.
In 2013, his first impromptu visit outside of Rome to Lampedusa — an Italian island overwhelmed by migrants and mourning a deadly shipwreck of North African refugees — spotlighted the global refugee crisis. Unscripted and raw, the journey redefined his papacy as one reaching out to humanity’s margins.
Likewise, Francis’s March 2021 trip to Iraq, despite fierce criticism due to the pandemic, was transformative.
Through prayer in the ruins of Mosul and dialogue with Iraqi leaders, Francis gave suffering Christians something intangible yet priceless: hope. His journeys were never about resolving complex geopolitical puzzles; they were acts of accompaniment, tangible expressions of divine solidarity.
Leo, who dedicated decades of missionary service to Peru’s marginalized communities, has been deeply shaken by Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe.
His early pontificate has seen repeated pleas for peace amid distressing reports of civilian casualties, shattered infrastructure, and displaced families.
Yet, in a cautious July 22 interview with Vatican News, when asked about visiting Gaza, Leo replied with characteristic prudence: “There are many places I would like to go, but it’s not necessarily the formula for finding an answer.”
But visiting Gaza isn’t about providing immediate answers; it’s about witnessing. Leo’s reserved temperament is not an obstacle but an asset. His presence, calm and resolute, would profoundly illustrate peace as a courageous choice rather than a passive wish.
A journey to Gaza, complemented by stops in Tel Aviv and the West Bank, would amplify Leo’s profound call for reconciliation.
In Catholic theology, the pope is pontifex — a bridge-builder. Leo, walking among Palestinians and Israelis, could silently foster dialogue, demonstrating through humble presence that peace emerges not through political maneuvering alone but through shared humanity.
Middle Eastern Christians, facing existential threats, would see in Leo’s visit a reflection of Francis’s bold hope in Iraq—a reassurance that the Church is willing to risk standing in solidarity.
This journey wouldn’t be mere grandstanding; it would be a powerful act of sacramental love. Leo’s physical presence amid Gaza’s devastation would vividly symbolize God’s solidarity with human suffering.
While security and diplomatic risks are undeniable, Francis’s Iraq journey proved faith can overcome caution.
Leo’s pontificate, still nascent, calls for a defining gesture that embodies his earliest message. Gaza, bruised yet resilient, cries out urgently for a pope who embodies Christ’s radical peacemaking.
By stepping into Gaza, Pope Leo would turn “Peace be with you” from mere greeting into prophetic reality.
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Paid subscriptions start at only $6.67 per month and will get you full access to the ongoing Fath and the Democratic Party essays and this multi-part series on the life and formation of Pope Leo.
The fourth installment — chronicling his 20-year friendship with Pope Francis — was published last night.
Do you prefer a one-time gift? Donate here instead of subscribing.
With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, if Pope Leo feels that he would be of help and healing, then he must do what he is guided to do. I would not presume to tell him what to do. His Wi-Fi connection is far closer to God than mine.
All I can say is that the love of God is most needed in Gaza. What is going on there is horrific and must stop.
YES! I firmly believe that Pope Leo’s presence in Gaza will add a healing power to the people and an be an beacon for peace with his Resounding Peaceful Energy.