Hezbollah calls on Pope Leo XIV to condemn Israeli strikes in Lebanon during his three-day visit, while affirming commitment to coexistence
BEIRUT: Hezbollah has urged Pope Leo XIV to reject Israeli “injustice and aggression” against Lebanon ahead of the pontiff’s weekend visit.
The militant group published the message on its social media channels on Saturday, calling Israel’s actions “unacceptable ongoing aggression”.
“We in Hezbollah take advantage of the occasion of your auspicious visit to our country Lebanon to reaffirm from our side our commitment to coexistence,” the statement read.
The message also affirmed Hezbollah’s commitment to “standing with our army and our people to face any aggression and occupation of our land and our country”.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem welcomed the papal visit in a Friday speech, saying he had tasked members with delivering a letter to the pontiff.
Qassem insisted his group has respected the November 2024 ceasefire and called for an end to persistent Israeli strikes on the country.
“Do you expect there to be a war later? It’s possible at some point, yes, that possibility exists,” he said, referring to fears of renewed broader conflict.
Hezbollah emerged weakened from more than a year of hostilities culminating in two months of open war with Israel that began with cross-border attacks over the Gaza war.
A ceasefire a year ago was supposed to end hostilities but Israel has maintained regular strikes on Lebanon, mainly targeting Hezbollah operatives and sites.
Israeli troops remain stationed in five southern Lebanon locations deemed strategic by Israel.
Under heavy US pressure and fears of expanded Israeli strikes, the Lebanese government has committed to disarming Hezbollah, a move the group has rejected.
Pope Leo arrives in Lebanon on Sunday for a three-day trip after visiting Turkey.
His itinerary includes an open-air mass at Beirut’s waterfront expected to draw 120,000 people and an interreligious meeting in the city centre.
Qassem expressed hope that “the Holy Father will contribute to spreading peace in Lebanon, liberating it, ending the (Israeli) aggression, and standing by it and by the oppressed”. – AFP
