Vatican

“Tomorrow marks the 700th day since our brothers and sisters were kidnapped, 48 of whom are still in Gaza,” Herzog told the pontiff. “We must do everything to return them as quickly as possible.”

President Isaac Herzog will visit the Vatican on Thursday to meet Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, focusing on hostages, antisemitism, and protecting Christians in the Middle East.

Movers and shakers in Israeli society

German brand Villeroy & Boch, known for Vatican porcelain and Titanic-surviving tiles, launches its FLEUR Dopamine collection in Israel – pastel floral designs blending luxury with everyday use.

Zelensky and Leo held talks in Castel Gandolfo, a small Italian hill town near Rome, where the pope is taking a two-week vacation.

For centuries, Catholic priests have been able to celebrate special Masses to pray for their country, give thanks after a harvest or ask God to end a natural disaster.

Many had great hopes as Pope Leo XIV seemed ready to renew Catholicism's commitment to interreligious solidarity, but when missiles began raining down on Tel Aviv, those hopes were quickly tested.

"Leo is taking his time," Rev. Mark Francis, told Reuters. "While he is going to continue in the path indicated by Pope Francis, his disposition is very different."

In his first Sunday message on May 11, the new pope called for an immediate ceasefire and for the release of all Israeli hostages held by the militant group Hamas.

It is unfortunate that in his twilight years, the more disputable aspects of his views and conduct came increasingly to the fore, overshadowing gestures of goodwill and rights.

Masella recalled, "I trained the future pontiff—it's incredible, but to me, he was just another client".