Pope Leo XIV will receive Israel’s president Isaac Herzog in the Vatican on Thursday morning, Sept. 4. The Vatican said the pope called for negotiations, a ceasefire and an end to the war in Gaza. Today’s statement from Jason Pearlman, the spokesperson for the Israeli president, said Mr. Herzog is coming “for a one day visit to the Vatican at the invitation of the Pope.” Asked whether Pope Leo invited him, a senior Vatican official said “an audience is granted,” suggesting that it was requested. The Israeli statement announced that after Mr. Herzog’s conversations with the pope and secretary of state, he “will tour the Vatican Archives and Library, before returning to Israel in the afternoon.”Update 09/02/2025 2:53 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with a statement from Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni.