The Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joe Rajji. (Credit: NNA)
Foreign Minister Joe Rajji is traveling to Rome and the Vatican on Sunday for an official visit during which he will hold talks with the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, as well as his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani.
This visit is taking place amid repeated statements by Pope Leo XIV calling for peace in Lebanon, as well as the diplomatic role played by the Holy See, away from the spotlight, in strengthening the Lebanese state.
Since the election of Joseph Aoun as president and the formation of Nawaf Salam's government at the start of 2025, Lebanese authorities have expressed their intention not only to carry out the necessary economic reforms but also to extend their sovereignty over the entire Lebanese territory—an effort that includes the disarmament of militias, first and foremost Hezbollah.
The latter's opening of a support front for Iran on March 2 has complicated this task and pushed Beirut authorities to enter into direct negotiations with Israel to end the war.
Since the beginning of the current conflict, Apostolic Nuncio Paolo Borgia has stood out for numerous risky visits to Christian communities who have remained on their lands, at the border in southern Lebanon.
Concerning Minister Rajji's visit to Italy, the National Information Agency noted that on the Italian side, "the discussions will focus on Italy's interest in strengthening stability in Lebanon, as well as on the role Rome plays within the European Union on this issue."
In this context, the head of the Bustros Palace is expected to address with his counterpart Tajani the issue of Italian military support for the Lebanese army, as well as Italy's active contribution to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL, whose mandate ends at the end of the year), as one of the main contributing countries, the agency adds.
