Lebanese President Joseph Aoun Holds Vatican Talks with Pope Leo XIV Amid US-Brokered Negotiations

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican as part of an official visit to Rome, where his itinerary also includes discussions with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

This diplomatic mission unfolds against the backdrop of US-brokered negotiations between Lebanon and Israel aimed at implementing a framework agreement to end the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory. Recent discussions hosted at the US embassy in Rome centered on establishing a committee to supervise designated "pilot zones" for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.

The proposed committee's responsibilities would include verifying the disarmament of Hezbollah in these specific sectors, confirming that the Lebanese army has taken full control, and ensuring the complete departure of Israeli forces. While Lebanon and Israel have not yet finalized the composition of participating nations for the oversight committee, Italy is actively under consideration and Rome has already signaled its willingness to participate.

President Aoun’s engagements in Rome arrive as Lebanon endeavors to secure sustained international backing for the execution of the framework agreement, even as talks persist regarding the necessary ground-level guarantees. Meanwhile, ongoing military operations by Israel in southern Lebanon remain a significant hurdle, with Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stating that Israel will maintain its presence in the self-declared "security zone" within the region.