Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East Beshara al-Rahi has called on the United States to pressure Israel to “end its violations of Lebanon,” expressing hope that Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit will serve as a “message of peace” addressed to both Lebanese and Israelis and a reminder to avoid war.

In parallel, al-Rahi urged Hezbollah to “free itself from Iran,” hand over its weapons to the Lebanese Army, and commit fully to political work. He dismissed as “unfounded” any claims that these demands target the Shiite community, stressing: “We share one homeland that belongs to all of us.”

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, the patriarch said the pope’s visit on Sunday reflects “his affection for Lebanon” and signals to the world that the country “has been reborn,” given the extensive international media presence expected during the two-day trip. “The pope understands Lebanon’s value and its unique cultural and civilizational role in the Middle East,” he stated.

The visit, he added, sends a clear message to the Lebanese: “I am with you. Take heart and preserve your land. Lebanon is a land of peace, not war.”

A message of peace

Al-Rahi described the visit as one of peace. He noted that the pope insisted on traveling to Lebanon “despite Israeli threats.” “The Holy Father is a man of prayer,” he said. “He knows the worth of Lebanon and understands the looming danger of war. When asked about the security risks, he reaffirmed his determination to come.”

The patriarch insisted that the pope is, in effect, visiting “the entire Arab world,” carrying with him a message rooted in faith and directed also to political leaders: “Enough wars, killing, and destruction.”

“For fifty years, Lebanon has lived through conflict,” al-Rahi said. “It is time for that to end. War brings only devastation and death. This includes the latest fighting between Hezbollah and Israel. Human lives are being taken. Who has the right to decide the fate of another person?”

He emphasized that such acts are “unacceptable to the Church”.

“No Path but Diplomacy”

Commenting on Israeli threats and regional tensions, al-Rahi said: “There is no room for war and killing. The only path is diplomacy, long and difficult as it may be.” He voiced support for President Joseph Aoun’s efforts to pursue political and diplomatic solutions.

“The Americans must influence Israel, and Iran must influence Hezbollah,” he underlined. Hezbollah, he noted, “knows that a final decision has been made regarding exclusive state control of arms,” and must therefore surrender its weapons to the Lebanese Army and function as a political party like all others.

Israel, meanwhile, “has not respected Resolution 1701 or the ceasefire,” he said. “It continues daily strikes, treating Lebanon as a subordinate province. Lebanon risks becoming a pile of stones.”

Al-Rahi continued that he expects the pope to issue a strong appeal for peace: “Those who bear arms are responsible for achieving peace. Manhood is not measured by firing weapons, but by building peace. It is time for both Israel and Hezbollah to understand this.”

He reiterated that Hezbollah must disarm, Israel must withdraw from the south and all occupied points, and the Lebanese Army must be allowed to extend state authority across the country according to its existing plan.

While uncertain whether the pope will address these issues directly, al-Rahi said the Vatican Secretariat of State “agrees with this assessment,” adding that the pope chose to visit because “Lebanon is under real threat of war.”

Shared Responsibility Among Political Forces

Al-Rahi stressed that resolving Lebanon’s crises does not fall solely on the president or prime minister. “We must all stop fanning the flames. All political parties and leaders must commit to achieving peace. Lebanon is a democracy, but democracy does not mean enmity,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He argued that future generations have a right to live in peace, which requires parties to reform their political practices and ways of thinking.

“Shiites Are Not Being Targeted”

The patriarch expressed surprise that the call for exclusive state control of weapons is portrayed as an attack on Shiites. “Why do they feel targeted?” he asked. “They are present throughout ministries and public institutions. Is asking for disarmament targeting them? No other Lebanese community carries arms. I do not see how they are being singled out.”

According to al-Rahi, Lebanon’s confessional diversity forms its “mosaic” and essential balance. “Shiites are our brothers, and we are theirs. Lebanon belongs to all of us. No one is targeting anyone. This is our shared home.”

Responding to an Iranian official who claimed Hezbollah’s weapons are a Lebanese necessity, al-Rahi said: “Weapons do not ensure security. The Lebanese Army ensures security for everyone.” He warned that “self-security creates mini-states,” which cannot coexist within a sovereign state.

He said: “We want one state, one army, protecting all,” rejecting claims that disarmament would lead to isolation. “We are equals in dignity, rights, and duties. But today Hezbollah must free itself from Iran. No foreign state may dictate to Lebanese citizens.”

After a war that “destroyed everything,” he added, the country must rethink its path. “Peace cannot be achieved through war or through weapons that must ultimately be placed exclusively in the hands of the Lebanese Army.”

If needed the state can declare a general mobilization and call on all citizens for support, the patriarch remarked.

Calls to Restore Mandatory Military Service

Al-Rahi acknowledged that Lebanon is suffering from a severe political crisis that has triggered economic and social collapse. “We need political stability for the country to rise again,” he said, adding that loyalty must be directed to Lebanon alone.

Lebanon’s problem, he argued, dates back a century: “Loyalty to the nation did not grow at the same pace as belonging to it. The two must be equal if stability is to be achieved.”

He believes part of the solution lies in education, starting in schools, families, universities, and society. He further pointed that Lebanon should restore mandatory military service, saying: “Abolishing conscription was a mistake. Military service teaches citizens that the nation they serve is their honor. Without it, how can loyalty grow?”

Al-Rahi concluded: “The most important form of education is that which instills a sense of belonging through national service.”