An assessment of the situation of Christians in Lebanon, clearly points to divergence in visions between the Vatican and Lebanese political Christian forces, leading to the conclusion that the Christian presence in Lebanon is on the line.
Sources monitoring the Vatican's move towards Lebanon assert that the Holy See finds itself limited in its ability to influence the country's Christian partners. The latter generally extend ceremonial welcomes to Vatican officials, and show their appreciation by merely sticking to protocol, without any serious consideration to any viewpoints that advocate not only for Christians' interests but also for Lebanon and its overall population.
According to these sources, anyone who believes the Vatican can influence Hezbollah's agendas in Lebanon is highly mistaken. Major international players have intervened in Lebanon's presidential vacancy and the conflict in southern Lebanon without managing to compel Hezbollah to step back even once. As per these sources, the Vatican's presence holds little sway, as does the Maronite Patriarchate or other Lebanese opposing Hezbollah's plans.
The sources emphasized that the Vatican acknowledges this reality from various angles, thus attempting to achieve a breakthrough within the Christian community, one that will foster a unified Christian stance in favor of the Christian presence in Lebanon. However, so far, it has not succeeded in achieving any breakthrough in this context. Some Christian parties aligned with Hezbollah are reluctant to confront the Shiite party on critical issues such as warfare, weapons and the presidential dossier. This sentiment is notably embodied by the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), led by MP Gebran Bassil, who remains committed to securing the presidential seat. His strategic maneuvers and initiatives aim squarely at sidelining Sleiman Frangieh, head of the Marada Movement, from the presidential race, positioning himself as the main alternative candidate.
These sources underscored that the rift between Bassil and Hezbollah on the presidential issue is not a strategic disagreement over the president's program and orientations per se, but rather a tactical one on how a pro-Moumana’a (from the “Resistance” axis) president should ascend to office and who that figure should be. A factual review of both Bassil's and Frangieh's positions reveals a core alignment regarding Hezbollah's arms and warfare, despite different rhetoric in acknowledging Hezbollah's role, its weapons in Lebanon, its political agenda and its allegiance to Iran.
In light of these realities, sources closely monitoring Vatican initiatives noted that the Holy See faces significant, if not insurmountable, challenges in aligning the political viewpoints among Christians who either support or oppose Hezbollah. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, has asked probing questions to many he has met: How can certain Christian factions endorse the vacancy in the presidency, the sole Christian position at the helm of a state in the Middle East? And how can they support a war and weapons wielded outside state control, perceiving it as being entirely normal?
The Vatican recognizes that its recent attempts to convince conflicting Christian factions to make concessions will not yield results. Therefore, in the near future, the Holy See will strive to intensify social and economic initiatives aimed at preserving Lebanon's Christians, especially the youth. It recognizes the daunting task ahead, as the absence of a functioning state translates into instability, lack of investments opportunities and limited job prospects, ultimately leading to youth emigration if these conditions persist.
Sources monitoring the Vatican's move towards Lebanon assert that the Holy See finds itself limited in its ability to influence the country's Christian partners. The latter generally extend ceremonial welcomes to Vatican officials, and show their appreciation by merely sticking to protocol, without any serious consideration to any viewpoints that advocate not only for Christians' interests but also for Lebanon and its overall population.
According to these sources, anyone who believes the Vatican can influence Hezbollah's agendas in Lebanon is highly mistaken. Major international players have intervened in Lebanon's presidential vacancy and the conflict in southern Lebanon without managing to compel Hezbollah to step back even once. As per these sources, the Vatican's presence holds little sway, as does the Maronite Patriarchate or other Lebanese opposing Hezbollah's plans.
The sources emphasized that the Vatican acknowledges this reality from various angles, thus attempting to achieve a breakthrough within the Christian community, one that will foster a unified Christian stance in favor of the Christian presence in Lebanon. However, so far, it has not succeeded in achieving any breakthrough in this context. Some Christian parties aligned with Hezbollah are reluctant to confront the Shiite party on critical issues such as warfare, weapons and the presidential dossier. This sentiment is notably embodied by the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), led by MP Gebran Bassil, who remains committed to securing the presidential seat. His strategic maneuvers and initiatives aim squarely at sidelining Sleiman Frangieh, head of the Marada Movement, from the presidential race, positioning himself as the main alternative candidate.
These sources underscored that the rift between Bassil and Hezbollah on the presidential issue is not a strategic disagreement over the president's program and orientations per se, but rather a tactical one on how a pro-Moumana’a (from the “Resistance” axis) president should ascend to office and who that figure should be. A factual review of both Bassil's and Frangieh's positions reveals a core alignment regarding Hezbollah's arms and warfare, despite different rhetoric in acknowledging Hezbollah's role, its weapons in Lebanon, its political agenda and its allegiance to Iran.
In light of these realities, sources closely monitoring Vatican initiatives noted that the Holy See faces significant, if not insurmountable, challenges in aligning the political viewpoints among Christians who either support or oppose Hezbollah. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, has asked probing questions to many he has met: How can certain Christian factions endorse the vacancy in the presidency, the sole Christian position at the helm of a state in the Middle East? And how can they support a war and weapons wielded outside state control, perceiving it as being entirely normal?
The Vatican recognizes that its recent attempts to convince conflicting Christian factions to make concessions will not yield results. Therefore, in the near future, the Holy See will strive to intensify social and economic initiatives aimed at preserving Lebanon's Christians, especially the youth. It recognizes the daunting task ahead, as the absence of a functioning state translates into instability, lack of investments opportunities and limited job prospects, ultimately leading to youth emigration if these conditions persist.
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