Archbishop Paolo Borgia, the Vatican’s representative in Lebanon, called for a ceasefire and renewed negotiations between Lebanon and Israel as civilian casualties mounted following Israeli military strikes. Borgia made these remarks on April 8 in an interview with Vatican News after visiting southern Lebanon with Cardinal Bechara Rai, patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church.
The situation is urgent as continued violence has resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries. The archbishop said the bombardment “is not the right path” and urged immediate diplomatic efforts to stabilize relations between the two countries.
“The conflict situation is not easy and only serves to deepen divisions, as well as to sow death and destruction. As is well known, what Israel wants is the disarmament of Hezbollah, and this goal has not been achieved. A truce would reopen the door to diplomacy,” Borgia said.
According to reports published by Avvenire and other news outlets, Israeli forces struck more than 100 targets across Lebanon on April 8. These attacks included areas in Beirut, Bekaa Valley, and southern regions. In response to these actions, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz while disagreements arose between U.S., Iranian, Pakistani officials over whether Lebanon was covered by a newly announced ceasefire agreement.
In Beirut’s aftermath, correspondent Nello Scavo described scenes of devastation where buildings housing Sunni and Christian residents were destroyed. He disputed claims that only Hezbollah military sites were targeted: “With our own eyes we see the destruction in working-class neighborhoods…and buildings near hospitals and schools.” Scavo also wrote that assurances about minimizing civilian casualties amounted to “a mockery.” Archbishop Borgia added that “there has never been an attack like this” before.
International leaders responded strongly. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned what he called Israeli violations of international law while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged both sides toward restraint but demanded an end to attacks causing mass displacement. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned Israel’s ambassador after warning shots were fired at an Italian UN convoy operating under UNIFIL.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later announced plans for direct negotiations with Lebanon focused on Hezbollah’s disarmament. Meanwhile Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of St Louis-based Maronite Eparchy joined Pope Leo XIV’s Easter message urging humanitarian assistance for Lebanese civilians suffering from food shortages and lack of medical supplies.
As Pope Leo XIV prepares a prayer vigil for peace on April 11, Archbishop Borgia expressed hope: “Peace may be achieved… Peace is just; it is something that gives the possibility…to open oneself to life. War is only death.”
