Lebanon's president asks Pope Leo XIV to press Israel on withdrawal deal
Joseph Aoun met Pope Leo XIV on August 20 and asked him to intervene so that Israel carries out the June agreement to withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met Pope Leo XIV on August 20 and asked him to intervene with Israel to secure compliance with an agreement signed in June that provides for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory. The Holy See voiced its "serious concern about the difficulties being encountered in the implementation" of the agreement and repeated its support for Aoun's efforts.
During the audience, Aoun also met Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for relations with states and international organizations. Aoun briefed them on the situation in Lebanon, stressing repeated Israeli attacks on villages, infrastructure and civilians.
Lebanon's requests to the Vatican
Aoun thanked the Holy See for its support since the last papal visit to Lebanon and set out recent political, economic and social developments in his country. He asked the pope and Vatican officials to keep up their diplomatic efforts in international forums on behalf of Lebanon's demands, saying Israel must comply with the terms of the Framework Agreement signed on June 26 under United States mediation.
Aoun said it was important to halt the daily attacks, which he said particularly affect civilians and infrastructure in southern Lebanon. He asked the pope and the Holy See to support Lebanon in securing a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territory. That, he said, would allow devastated areas to be rebuilt and displaced people to return home.
Stability and Lebanese sovereignty
Aoun said the withdrawal must be accompanied by the Lebanese state extending its authority over all its territory and holding sole power to decide on war and peace. He called that "the only path to security and stability on the borders."
Aoun gave the pope a sculpture of Blessed Patriarch Elías al-Huwayyik containing his relics. The Holy See Press Office said the talks focused mainly on the Trilateral Framework Agreement signed by the United States, Israel and Lebanon, which aims to stabilize Lebanon's southern borders and achieve a just and lasting peace.
The Holy See welcomed the signing of the document but said it had serious concerns about the difficulties in carrying it out, and repeated its support for Aoun's efforts on the matter.
