Pope Leo XIV met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on June 13, 2025, in a private audience at the Vatican, where they emphasized the “necessary and imperative need” to foster peace across the Middle East.
Newsroom, June 14, 2025, Gaudium Press – Pope Leo XIV met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on June 13, 2025, in a private audience at the Vatican, where they emphasized the “necessary and imperative need” to foster peace across the Middle East. The meeting, marked by cordial discussions, comes as tensions escalate following Israel’s overnight strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory drone attacks, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Urgent Call for Pacification
The Vatican press release highlighted the meeting’s focus on the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, particularly after Israel’s Operation Rising Lion targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites on June 13, 2025, prompting Iran to launch 100 drones against Israel. Pope Leo XIV and President Aoun, the first Middle Eastern head of state to meet the pontiff, underscored the urgency of dialogue to prevent further escalation, a sentiment echoed by Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, Archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan, who lamented the preference for “preventive attacks” over negotiation.
The discussions also addressed Lebanon’s fragile position following the November 27, 2024, ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been repeatedly violated by Israeli drone strikes, including a recent attack that destroyed nine buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Lebanese officials fear Iran may retaliate using missile sites allegedly maintained by its Revolutionary Guards in Lebanon, though Hezbollah has pledged to avoid unilateral military actions.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Lebanon’s Recovery
The Vatican statement praised the “good bilateral relations” between the Holy See and Lebanon, acknowledging the Catholic Church’s enduring role in Lebanese society. As a Maronite Catholic, President Aoun represents a nation where Christians, including 22,000 Catholics, coexist with a Shiite Muslim majority. The leaders expressed hope that Lebanon, through stabilization and reforms, would achieve political harmony and economic recovery, reinforcing its tradition of interfaith coexistence.
Aoun, accompanied by his wife Nehmat, gifted Pope Leo XIV a cedar-shaped reliquary containing relics of St. Charbel and other Lebanese saints, while the pontiff presented a bas-relief medallion and a copy of Pope Francis’ 2025 World Peace Day message. The exchange underscored the deep cultural and spiritual ties between Lebanon and the Vatican.
Lebanon’s Diplomatic Efforts and UNIFIL Concerns
President Aoun likely briefed the pope on Lebanon’s diplomatic initiatives, including upcoming visits by French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and U.S. officials of Lebanese descent, such as Tom Barack and Massad Boulos. These efforts aim to secure Lebanon’s sovereignty over arms, a critical issue as the government seeks to disarm Hezbollah and prevent independent militia actions.
A pressing concern is the future of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose mandate is set for renewal in August 2025. Reports in Israeli media suggest a U.S.-Israel agreement to let the mandate lapse, raising fears in Lebanon that Israel could expand its presence in the south without international oversight. French envoy Le Drian warned that undermining UNIFIL risks renewed conflict, advocating for its strengthened role.
A Broader Vision for Peace
Pope Leo XIV’s meeting with Aoun reflects the Vatican’s commitment to peace in a region scarred by conflict. The pontiff’s appeal for “responsibility and reason” between Israel and Iran aligns with his ongoing efforts to mediate global disputes, a mission Aoun invited him to advance by visiting Lebanon. As Lebanon navigates its delicate balance between internal reforms and external pressures, the Vatican remains a steadfast partner in promoting dialogue and stability.
Raju Hasmukh with data sourced from
– Vatican News, “Pope Leo XIV Receives Lebanese President,” June 13, 2025.
– The Catholic Register, “Pope Leo Meets Lebanese President as Israeli-Iranian Attacks Continue,” June 13, 2025.
– OSV News, “Pope Meets Lebanese President as Israeli-Iranian Attacks Continue,” June 13, 2025.
– L’Orient Today, “Leo XIV Assures Aoun of Continued Efforts for Peace,” May 18, 2025.
– Al Jazeera, “Lebanon’s President Aoun Demands Israel Withdraw by January 26,” January 18, 2025.
– The Washington Institute, “UNIFIL’s Fork in the Road,” May 28, 2025.
– CNN, “Lebanon’s President Says He Seeks to Disarm Hezbollah This Year,” April 16, 2025.
– AsiaNews, Interview with Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, June 13, 2025.
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