The centerpiece of Abbas' itinerary was his afternoon meeting with Meloni at Palazzo Chigi, Italy's government headquarters. In a statement posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Meloni detailed the pair's hour-long dialogue, emphasizing the imperative to "consolidate the ceasefire and initiate the stabilization and reconstruction of Gaza." She advocated for swift implementation of U.S. President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan, unveiled in late September 2025, which has been hailed by some as a potential breakthrough but criticized by others for its stringent conditions on Palestinian governance. "Including through the disarmament of Hamas, which can have no role in the future of the Palestinian people," Meloni wrote, echoing Trump's blueprint that mandates the militant group's dissolution as a precondition for transitional administration.
Trump's plan, announced amid escalating hostilities that resumed in March 2025 after an earlier truce collapsed, outlines a phased approach to de-escalation. Phase one, agreed upon by Israel and Hamas on October 8, 2025, halted fighting, facilitated the release of 48 Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and allowed partial Israeli troop withdrawals to a so-called "yellow line" – a demarcation leaving roughly half of Gaza under Israeli operational control. Subsequent phases envision full demilitarization, international oversight via a "Board of Peace" chaired by Trump and including figures like former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and a technocratic Palestinian committee to manage daily governance. Aid flows have since surged, with the United Nations reporting over 500 trucks entering Gaza daily through the Rafah crossing, though distribution remains hampered by ongoing skirmishes and infrastructure devastation.
Meloni's remarks aligned closely with this framework, underscoring Italy's "strong and steadfast commitment" to civilian welfare. She spotlighted the "Food for Gaza" initiative, a Rome-led program launched in March 2024 by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, which has delivered approximately 2,300 tons of food, medical supplies, and relief goods to the Strip in partnership with the UN's World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The effort, funded with €12 million from Italy's coffers, targets famine risks in displacement camps, where WFP data indicates 13 of 18 supported bakeries remain operational amid repeated evacuations in areas like Khan Younis and Rafah. Additional Italian contributions include medical evacuations for injured children – over 14 cancer patients treated in Rome this year alone – and the "university corridor" program, enabling Palestinian students to pursue higher education in Italy.
The prime minister also highlighted Italy's support for Palestinian Authority (PA) reforms, including police training and security cooperation, as well as participation in the European Union's monitoring mission at Rafah. "In reiterating the need to work toward a lasting political solution based on the two-state prospect, I confirmed that the Italian Government... is working on a package of humanitarian aid and reconstruction measures to be presented at the Gaza Conference that Egypt intends to convene," Meloni stated. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced the conference for late November 2025 in Cairo, following the October 13 Sharm El-Sheikh summit where Trump and el-Sisi co-chaired talks on phase two implementation. That gathering, attended by over 30 nations but boycotted by Israel and Hamas, produced the "Trump Declaration for Enduring Peace and Prosperity," committing signatories to demilitarization and reconstruction funding estimated at $50 billion over five years.
Abbas, 89 and in power since 2005, used the platform to press for Italian recognition of Palestinian statehood – a move 146 UN members have already endorsed, but which Italy has deferred pending PA reforms and Hamas' marginalization. In an interview with La Stampa prior to the trip, Abbas outlined his vision: elections within a year of war's end, a temporary constitution, and collection of arms from factions like Hamas to establish "one state, one law, and legitimate arms." He reiterated opposition to violence, noting the PA's 1988 and 1993 recognitions of Israel under Oslo Accords, and called for reciprocal acknowledgment of Palestine within 1967 borders, East Jerusalem as capital.
The Rome talks followed Abbas' Thursday audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, their first in-person meeting since the pontiff's May 2025 election as Francis' successor. Lasting about an hour, the "cordial" exchange – described as such in a Vatican readout – focused on "the urgent need for the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip" and pursuing two states. It coincided with the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and Palestine, affirming the Vatican's longstanding use of "State of Palestine" since 2012 UN observer status. Abbas, who met Francis seven times, laid flowers at his tomb upon arriving Wednesday, calling the late pope "a great friend of Palestine." Leo, a Chicago native, has echoed predecessors in advocating ceasefire permanence, telling Israeli President Isaac Herzog in September 2025 that two states offer the "only way out of the war."
Earlier Friday, Abbas conferred with Mattarella at the Quirinale Palace, where the Italian head of state deemed the PA "an absolutely key interlocutor for Italy and the international community." Mattarella voiced hope for an "immediate" two-state resolution, decrying the "unacceptable spiral of violence" post-October 7, 2023, that has claimed over 67,000 lives in Gaza, per Hamas-run health ministry figures verified by UN agencies. Abbas expressed gratitude for Italy's aid – including UNRWA support and UN General Assembly votes for ceasefire and agency funding – and briefed on West Bank escalations: settler attacks, olive grove uprooting, and assaults on holy sites.
This visit arrives as Trump's plan faces headwinds. The U.S. is lobbying the UN Security Council for a resolution enshrining it in international law, with Ambassador Michael Waltz warning of war's resumption absent adoption. Hamas insists on full Israeli withdrawal before disarmament, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu eyes extended phase one control. Arab states, key to stabilization forces, condition troop deployments on statehood pathways – a red line for Israel's right-wing coalition. Palestinian envoy to Italy, Issa Kassissieh, told The National that Abbas seeks Western recognitions to "preserve the two-state solution, systematically undermined by Israeli policies."
Italy's proactive stance – from "Food for Gaza" to potential summit bids – positions it as a bridge-builder. Meloni, who met Abbas last December amid stalled talks, has consistently backed PA moderation over "Hamas terrorism." Her X post drew 2,000 likes within hours, reflecting domestic support for humanitarian focus. Yet challenges persist: PA finances strain under Israel's tax revenue withholding, exacerbating institutional weaknesses Abbas vows to address via reforms.
As Egypt's conference looms, Abbas' Rome outreach – blending spiritual, ceremonial, and political diplomacy – injects momentum into a process teetering on fragility. With over 2 million Gazans displaced and reconstruction costs ballooning, the stakes transcend bilateral ties, testing global resolve for equitable peace. "We are against war, hatred, and terrorism," Abbas told Mattarella. "We want to live in our own state alongside Israel." Whether Italy's pledges translate to statehood nods or summit breakthroughs remains the pivotal question.
