Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday at the start of a visit to Italy, thanking the pontiff for his support for Lebanon and urging him to press for an end to Israeli attacks and a full withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

During the meeting, Aoun presented the pope with relics of Blessed Patriarch Elias Howayek who was beatified in July.

Aoun thanked Leo for the Vatican's efforts to support Lebanon, particularly since the pope's most recent visit to the country, and called on the pontiff and the Holy See to continue diplomatic efforts in support of Beirut's demands.

At the top of those demands, Aoun said, was ensuring that Israel implements the terms of the framework agreement signed under U.S. sponsorship on June 26, ends its daily attacks on southern Lebanese villages, civilians and civilian infrastructure, and withdraws from areas it continues to occupy.

Aoun also called for international support for the complete Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, saying this would pave the way for the reconstruction of areas destroyed by Israel and allow displaced residents to return to their homes and villages.

He stressed that these steps must go hand in hand with extending the Lebanese state's authority across the country's entire territory and placing decisions on war and peace solely in the hands of the state, describing that as the only path to security and stability along the border.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's foreign minister. The talks focused on the latest political, economic and social developments in Lebanon, as well as repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanese villages, infrastructure and civilians.

During the meetings, Aoun expressed Lebanon's appreciation for the Vatican's efforts to support the country and briefed Vatican officials on developments in Lebanon in recent months.

He urged the pope and Vatican officials to maintain their diplomatic efforts at international forums to help secure Lebanon's demands, particularly the implementation of the framework agreement signed under U.S. auspices on June 26.

Aoun also called for an immediate halt to Israeli attacks, which he said were particularly targeting civilians, civilian facilities, infrastructure and villages in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese president is also expected to meet Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Italy.