Lebanese President Michel Aoun announced June 12-13, 2022, as the dates for Pope Francis's visit to Lebanon. However, Tourism Minister Walid Nassar announced a postponement of the visit for health reasons on May 9. In this context, there is some ambiguity surrounding the announcement of the visit and its postponement, particularly given the significant silence from the Vatican. Additionally, there are statements attempting to implicate the Holy See in a bid to support the President's team and its ally, Hezbollah, thereby covering up its regional options. The critical question remains: what is the truth of the situation, and will Pope Francis visit Lebanon?
"The entity that officially announces any visit from the Pope is the Holy See, and this has not happened yet. Moreover, the Holy See is also the entity that officially postpones any visit. Thus, what we have witnessed in Lebanon is a protocol error committed by the Lebanese authorities, which compounded the situation and deepened the political analysis, while the Holy See has moral constants regarding dealing with the Lebanese issue. It is enough to avoid getting caught up in the politically charged propaganda we have witnessed," said Ziad Al-Sayegh, the Executive Director of the "Civil Impact Forum," in an interview with Al-Markazia.
Regarding Pope Francis's visits to Canada in July and possibly to Cuba in September, Al-Sayegh stated: "This is a decision made by the Vatican circles based on documented data, and thus any analysis here remains irresponsible and lacks precision. What we must acknowledge is that the Lebanese political system has dealt in an unprofessional and disrespectful manner with all the diplomatic protocol rules governing Lebanon’s relationship with the Holy See. Instead, it has sought to give the visit a political ideological character that contradicts the historical experience of Lebanon as a message, which may raise questions on multiple levels. Nonetheless, the final official word remains with the Vatican, and it is not advisable to delve into analyses in this context; we must respect the Pope's sanctity and the Vatican diplomacy and what it represents in terms of ethics in international politics."
Regarding Vatican principles towards Lebanon, Al-Sayegh remarked: "A civil state based on citizenship that embraces diversity, good governance based on honest institutions, and an independent judiciary that promotes justice. Lebanon is committed to the Arab collective and international extension as a founding member of the Arab League and the United Nations, and it upholds freedoms, human rights, democracy, and the regular peaceful transfer of power, with the exclusivity of arms in the hands of legitimate military and security forces. It opts for neutrality in regional and international conflicts, meaning that Lebanon should return to being a land of dialogue, coexistence, and bridge-building. Ultimately, Lebanon is a message of freedom and brotherhood, as stated by Saint Pope John Paul II."
