Communiqué of the Holy See Press Office:

This morning, the Holy Father Francis received in audience His Excellency Mr. Najib Mikati, ad interim Prime Minister of Lebanon, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

During the cordial discussions, which took place in the Secretariat of State, the Holy See’s concern regarding the difficult socio-economic situation faced by the Lebanese population, aggravated by the current institutional stalemate of the country as it urgently awaits the election of a new President of the Republic, was reiterated.

While emphasizing the importance of the inalienable presence of Christians in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East, the need for peaceful coexistence among Lebanese of different faiths to be strengthened in order to guarantee peace and stability for the entire region was also reiterated.

From the Vatican, 16 March 2023

[Original text: Italian]