Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun Meets Pope Leo XIV at Vatican Seeking Support for Southern Lebanon

During the meeting, Aoun presented the Pope with a hand-carved wooden bust of a Lebanese saint and a Lebanese cedar tree, while Pope Leo gave him a commemorative papal medal.

Aoun’s visit to Italy also includes meetings with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The Lebanese president has identified Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the deployment of the Lebanese army to the international border and reconstruction as among the country’s biggest challenges.

Despite a truce, Israeli strikes and Hezbollah attacks have continued, while negotiations remain focused on Israel’s withdrawal, Hezbollah’s weapons and strengthening Lebanese state authority in the south.

The Vatican maintains close relations with Lebanon, where Christians play a central role in the country’s political system.