Vatican voices serious worries over rollout of US-brokered Israel-Lebanon pact

In a 30-minute private meeting at the Vatican, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged Pope Leo XIV to support Beirut’s effort to secure the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, as outlined in a U.S.-brokered framework. The Holy See praised the signing of the document but expressed “serious concerns” about obstacles to its execution and pledged continued diplomatic assistance. The June agreement calls for Hezbollah’s disarmament, a gradual Israeli pull-back and the placement of the Lebanese army in designated pilot zones.

Despite a recent lull in fighting, Israel continues intermittent strikes and demolition work within a strip about 10 kilometres inside Lebanese territory. Aoun also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Vatican diplomat Paul Richard Gallagher, emphasizing the need for ongoing Vatican pressure to ensure Israel honors the deal and stops attacks on civilians and infrastructure. The visit follows Aoun’s earlier audience with the Pope and precedes a scheduled meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.