ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV met Thursday with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, as Israel presses ahead with a planned offensive in Gaza and the Vatican urging an immediate ceasefire and return of hostages taken by Hamas.

Herzog’s motorcade arrived at the Apostolic Palace and the president was escorted into the frescoed halls past a phalanx of Swiss Guards.

Herzog’s office said ahead of the meeting that talks were expected to focus on efforts to release hostages, fight antisemitism globally and safeguard Christian communities in the Middle East.

The statement said the visit to the Vatican came “at the invitation of the pope.” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni disputed that, implying Herzog had requested the meeting.

“It is the practice of the Holy See to grant requests for audiences addres

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