On the occasion of the completion of his mission in Lebanon, Papal Ambassador Monsignor Joseph Spiteri visited the Maronite League, accompanied by the new Chargé d'Affaires Monsignor Giovanni Pittierri. He was received by the league's president, Ambassador Khalil Karam, members of the executive committee, and previous presidents.
Karam commenced the meeting by highlighting the significant role the outgoing ambassador played in serving Lebanon and its issues, standing by Lebanon during its hardships and crises. He was a good steward of the Holy See's message, which relied on Lebanon and saw it as more than just a country, labeling it with a mission—one of the noblest descriptions given to a nation. Karam wished Monsignor Spiteri success in his new diplomatic mission and hoped for continued cooperation with his successor to serve Lebanon and the Christian presence, which faces serious challenges.
For his part, the Papal Ambassador thanked the Maronite League's president and executive board for their reception of him and the Chargé d'Affaires, affirming the Holy See's interest in the land of the cedars and its efforts to monitor its conditions, ensuring the restoration of its peace and prosperity. He said, "The Vatican still bets on Lebanon's pluralistic message as an oasis for interfaith dialogue," adding, "I am optimistic that the Lebanese can innovate a new formula to save their distinctive pluralistic system." He continued, "As for the domestic Lebanese issue, nothing prevents the state, which successfully completed the last parliamentary elections, from holding presidential elections according to constitutional procedures."
Spiteri addressed the topic of the Syrian displacement in Lebanon, stating, "The West and the United Nations have shown understanding for Lebanon's insistence on the return of Syrian displaced persons to safe areas in their country. Lebanese officials should not cease to remind others of this dilemma that their nation cannot bear." Regarding Palestinian refugees, he mentioned the beneficial developments made by the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee in coordination with the Maronite Patriarchate and the Maronite League.
Concerning the fate of Pope Francis' visit to Lebanon, he said, "The Pope's visit to Lebanon is still possible. It remains on His Holiness' agenda, and the date will be announced when the Vatican sees this visit as beneficial for Lebanon." Regarding the Vatican's support for Lebanon in international forums, he asserted, "Concerning this issue, I confirm that the Holy See is in constant communication with all countries concerned with the Lebanese crisis." Regarding the topic of active neutrality proposed by His Beatitude Patriarch Raï, he stated, "Active neutrality is under discussion with the concerned countries, and the terminology may change, but the outcome remains the same." In response to a question about what Vatican Foreign Minister Bishop Paul Gallagher announced during his visit to Lebanon regarding a Lebanese National Conference under the auspices of the Holy See, Spiteri replied: "This is possible as long as a request for it comes from the Lebanese parties."
