What Did President Aoun Ask Pope Leo XIV For?
8/20/2026 1:38:22 PM
President Joseph Aoun renewed his thanks to Pope Leo XIV for his efforts to support Lebanon in achieving its demands to end the occupation and Israeli attacks on its territory. He called on the Pope to continue supporting these demands, particularly by urging Israel to implement the provisions of the framework agreement, immediately halt its attacks on villages, infrastructure and civilians in southern Lebanon, and withdraw from the areas it occupies.
President Aoun made the remarks during his meeting earlier today with Pope Leo XIV, followed by meetings with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Vatican Foreign Minister Archbishop Richard Gallagher, at the start of his visit to the Vatican.
President Aoun arrived at 9:30 am in the Vatican’s St. Damasus Square, where he was received by the Head of Protocol of the Vatican, Monsignor Javier Fernández González. He was then escorted by the Swiss Guard to the Pope’s office, where he held a private meeting with Pope Leo XIV lasting half an hour. This was followed by a meeting with the Vatican Secretary of State and the Vatican Foreign Minister, during which they discussed the latest developments in Lebanon, as well as the repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanese villages, infrastructure and civilians.
During the two meetings, President Aoun conveyed Lebanon’s gratitude to the Holy See for all the efforts it has made to support the country since the Pope’s most recent visit to Lebanon. He also briefed the Vatican officials on the political, economic and living conditions Lebanon has experienced in recent months.
President Aoun called on Pope Leo XIV and Vatican officials to continue their diplomatic efforts at all international forums to advance Lebanon’s demands, foremost among them compelling Israel to implement the provisions of the framework agreement signed under US auspices on June 26, and to halt its daily attacks, particularly those targeting civilians, civilian facilities, infrastructure and villages in southern Lebanon.
He also called on the Pope and the Holy See to support Lebanon in securing a full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories, paving the way for the reconstruction of areas destroyed by Israel and the return of displaced people to their homes and villages.
President Aoun stressed that these steps must coincide with extending the authority of the Lebanese state over its entire territory and ensuring that decisions on war and peace remain solely in the hands of the state, as the only way to achieve security and stability along the border.
President Aoun also presented the Pope with a bust of Blessed Patriarch Elias Hoayek containing his relics.
President Aoun made the remarks during his meeting earlier today with Pope Leo XIV, followed by meetings with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Vatican Foreign Minister Archbishop Richard Gallagher, at the start of his visit to the Vatican.
President Aoun arrived at 9:30 am in the Vatican’s St. Damasus Square, where he was received by the Head of Protocol of the Vatican, Monsignor Javier Fernández González. He was then escorted by the Swiss Guard to the Pope’s office, where he held a private meeting with Pope Leo XIV lasting half an hour. This was followed by a meeting with the Vatican Secretary of State and the Vatican Foreign Minister, during which they discussed the latest developments in Lebanon, as well as the repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanese villages, infrastructure and civilians.
During the two meetings, President Aoun conveyed Lebanon’s gratitude to the Holy See for all the efforts it has made to support the country since the Pope’s most recent visit to Lebanon. He also briefed the Vatican officials on the political, economic and living conditions Lebanon has experienced in recent months.
President Aoun called on Pope Leo XIV and Vatican officials to continue their diplomatic efforts at all international forums to advance Lebanon’s demands, foremost among them compelling Israel to implement the provisions of the framework agreement signed under US auspices on June 26, and to halt its daily attacks, particularly those targeting civilians, civilian facilities, infrastructure and villages in southern Lebanon.
He also called on the Pope and the Holy See to support Lebanon in securing a full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories, paving the way for the reconstruction of areas destroyed by Israel and the return of displaced people to their homes and villages.
President Aoun stressed that these steps must coincide with extending the authority of the Lebanese state over its entire territory and ensuring that decisions on war and peace remain solely in the hands of the state, as the only way to achieve security and stability along the border.
President Aoun also presented the Pope with a bust of Blessed Patriarch Elias Hoayek containing his relics.