It is no secret that the visit of the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to Lebanon comes at a time when the Lebanese people face significant difficulties due to the presidential vacancy, the disruption in electing a new president, the erosion of state institutions, and the intense concern of the Holy See for Lebanon and its future. There is apprehension regarding deteriorating conditions in the south, especially with the escalating military confrontation between Hezbollah and the Israeli occupation forces, alongside the potential spillover of the Israeli war on Gaza into Lebanon due to recent heightened Israeli threats, as reported by "Al-Liwaa."
During his visits and meetings with Lebanese officials and politicians, Cardinal Parolin emphasized the Pope's concern regarding the events and the difficult crises Lebanon has been facing for years. He expressed a strong commitment to making every possible effort to extend a helping hand so Lebanon can overcome these crises through collaboration among the Lebanese themselves. He warned about the dangers currently afflicting Lebanon and focused on three main points.
The first was the importance of adhering to the Taif Agreement, which governs the foundations of coexistence among all components of the Lebanese people and the management of state authority. The second was the commitment to the constitution by electing a president, urging all parties to participate in election sessions without boycotting for any reason. He stressed the need to end internal political division and to encourage dialogue among political parties both before and during the presidential election sessions to facilitate the election process and revive the paralyzed state and its institutions.
The third point highlighted the significance of the Christian role in Lebanon, which embodies a unique model in the region. He called upon Christian parties to fulfill their role with all components to expedite the presidential election and actively participate in electing the new president. Additionally, he urged Muslim parties, particularly the Speaker of the Parliament, to play their required constitutional role to facilitate the convening of parliamentary sessions for electing a president.
The visit of the Vatican Secretary of State to Lebanon rekindled some warmth in the empty political reality and clarified responsibilities for the obstruction of presidential elections, attributing it equally among the political factions rather than placing the blame on one party alone. Importantly, it reaffirmed the Pope's commitment to Lebanon and the insistence on a formula for coexistence, playing his historical role in preserving it against internal crises and external threats, particularly from Israeli aggression.
The question remains whether the Holy See will succeed with this visit in aiding Lebanon to emerge from the presidential vacuum and elect a president while safely navigating the Israeli-Iranian conflict on its southern borders. The answer will depend on the developments in the coming days and the responsiveness of political parties to Cardinal Parolin's advice and calls, alongside the effectiveness of the Vatican's communications with influential countries to assist in rescuing Lebanon and resolving its crises and issues, according to "Al-Liwaa."
