Overview
- Emmanuel Macron held his first in-person audience with Pope Leone in Vatican City, followed by extended talks with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Monsignor Paul Gallagher in the Secretariat of State.
- The Holy See said the exchanges were cordial and highlighted good relations, stressing a shared aim to restore peaceful coexistence through dialogue and negotiation.
- Lebanon and the wider Middle East dominated the agenda, with both sides focusing on how the Iranian crisis has strained Lebanese stability and raised risks for civilians.
- The leaders also reviewed the war in Ukraine, noting efforts tied to an Orthodox Easter truce and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi’s ongoing work on prisoner exchanges.
- The Vatican scheduled a peace vigil at St. Peter’s with broad church participation, and Macron posted on X that action for peace is a duty as France backs dialogue, justice, and fraternity.