Pope Leo meets Lebanese president; security issues at center of talks

Pope Leo XIV met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday morning at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. Their private meeting lasted about half an hour and focused on the main challenges facing Lebanon, particularly the security situation in the south and the implementation of the Trilateral Framework Agreement.

According to the Lebanese Presidency, Aoun renewed his thanks to the pope for his efforts to support Lebanon in addressing its concerns, including ending the Israeli occupation and attacks. He also asked the Holy Father to continue urging Israel to implement the provisions of the Trilateral Framework, an agreement signed between Beirut and Tel Aviv under U.S. auspices on June 26 linking phased Israeli withdrawals to Lebanon disarming the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah.

Aoun also asked for the pope’s support to immediately halt attacks on villages, infrastructure, and civilians in southern Lebanon, as well as withdraw from the areas it occupies.

The Lebanese president presented the Holy Father with a wooden reliquary depicting the face of Patriarch Elias Hoyek alongside a cedar tree. Hoyek was beatified in July at the Maronite Patriarchate’s summer residence in Diman, northern Lebanon. He is considered one of the most prominent figures in the establishment of the modern Lebanese state.

Previous Pope Leo-Aoun meetings

Aoun has met with Pope Leo XIV several times prior to the Aug. 20 audience. He attended the pope’s inauguration Mass in May 2025, held a private Vatican audience with him in June 2025, and met him again during the pope’s historic visit to Lebanon in late November and early December 2025.

Today’s audience with the pope comes at a critical moment for the Land of Cedars, following several rounds of direct negotiations between the Lebanese and Israeli governments in Washington, D.C., and Rome. These talks were initiated after Pope Leo XIV visited Lebanon and issued a fervent call for peace in the country. The negotiations have addressed key issues including a ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal, border arrangements, prisoners, and the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Restricting the decision of war and peace

Aoun also met on Thursday with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations Archbishop Paul Gallagher.

According to the Vatican, their discussions focused primarily on the Trilateral Agreement. The Holy See welcomed the signing of the agreement while expressing deep concern over the difficulties surrounding its implementation and reaffirming its support for efforts to advance the process.

The Lebanese president outlined the political, economic, and living conditions his country has experienced in recent years and called for continued Vatican diplomatic efforts at international forums to support the countryʼs demands. He stressed that these efforts must be accompanied by extending the authority of the Lebanese state over its entire territory and placing the decision of war and peace solely in its hands.

Deteriorated security situation in southern Lebanon

The security situation in southern Lebanon has deteriorated sharply in recent days. With Hezbollah having rejected the U.S.-brokered framework agreement and active fighting against Israel continuing, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported that Israeli airstrikes killed 11 people and wounded 19 others on Aug. 15 in one of the deadliest incidents since a truce reached between the fighting parts last June.

Additionally, the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon reported a marked increase in military activity across southern Lebanon, recording an average of 137 projectiles per day between Aug. 5 and 16.

Despite these challenges, Aoun continues to pursue a diplomatic path toward peace, seeking Vatican and international support. On Friday he is expected to discuss Italyʼs potential involvement in international verification arrangements for southern Lebanon, a crucial component of the security framework designed to ensure Hezbollahʼs disarmament. His meeting with Italian leadership will take place on the sidelines of his participation in the opening ceremony of the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, a major sporting event hosted in Italy.