Lebanon's President Aoun meets Pope Leo in Rome

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with Pope Leo XIV during an official visit to Rome, where he also planned to discuss matters with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The trip comes at a time when US-brokered talks between Lebanon and Israel are underway, aiming to finalize a framework agreement that would see Israel withdraw from Lebanese territory.

Recent negotiations focused on establishing a committee to oversee "pilot zones," areas designated for Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon. This committee would be responsible for verifying Hezbollah's disarmament, the Lebanese army's assumption of control, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. While Lebanon and Israel have not yet agreed on the committee's members, Italy is being considered as a potential participant.

The Vatican has expressed its willingness to join the initiative. President Aoun's meetings in Rome are part of Lebanon's ongoing efforts to secure international backing for the framework agreement, despite ongoing Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, which have become a significant hurdle. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has maintained that Israel will not relinquish the security zone it has established in the region.