Pope Francis and President Aoun pose for a photo after their meeting in the Vatican on March 21, 2022.(Credit: @LBpresidency/Twitter)
BEIRUT — The Vatican said in a statement Monday after receiving President Michel Aoun that it “wishes that international donations, the upcoming parliamentary elections and [the implementation of ] needed reforms will solidify the peaceful coexistence between different sectarian groups in the Land of the Cedars,” the Presidency’s Twitter account reported.
Here’s what we know:
• Pope Francis, who met with Aoun today, reportedly confirmed to him that he will come to Lebanon on a visit.
• The pope held a "cordial" meeting of "30 minutes" with the Lebanese president, during which "good diplomatic relations" between Lebanon and the Vatican were underlined, on the occasion of their 75th anniversary. “Attention has been focused on the serious socio-economic problems of the country, as well as on the situation of refugees,” the official news site of the Holy See said.
• Pope Francis and President Aoun also spoke about the Aug. 4, 2020, port explosion and its "disastrous consequences," the Holy See continued. Its statement also expressed sympathy for the "demand for justice and truth expressed by the families of the victims.”
• On Tuesday, Aoun will meet in Rome with his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella whom he will congratulate on his re-election. He will be back in Lebanon that same day in the evening.