“Leave Lebanon in peace,” urged Cardinal Pietro Parolin when questioned on March 18, 2026, by several journalists — including I.Media — about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Pope's secretary of state also called on Donald Trump to “put an end as soon as possible” to this armed conflict.
Journalists were asking him questions on Wednesday on the sidelines of a conference presenting a book in Italian titled Leo XIV: Who Do You Think I Am? I Am a Son of Augustine (“Leone XIV. Chi dite che io sia? Sono un figlio di Sant’Agostino” Cantagalli, 2026). The book was written by Vatican expert Ignazio Ingrao and Augustinian Father Giuseppe Pagano, a friend of the Pope.
Cardinal Parolin noted the “good relations” he maintains with Pope Leo. “Let’s just say it’s very easy; there’s a good dialogue, a good exchange,” he said, explaining that the Pope “listens a lot.”
Cardinal Parolin, who has been the Secretary of State since 2013, was then asked what he would say to Donald Trump if he were to meet him now, in a context marked by war in Iran and the Middle East. “What would I tell him? To put an end to it as soon as possible, because the risk of escalation is imminent.”
Problems that exist or 'that they believe exist'
“I would tell him to leave Lebanon in peace,” the cardinal then stated, adding that this message “is also directed at the Israelis.” Targeting Hezbollah forces, Israel has stepped up its strikes against Lebanon in recent days, hitting the capital, Beirut, and moving father north.
“We must truly try to resolve the problems that may exist — or that they believe exist — through the peaceful channels of diplomacy and dialogue,” Cardinal Parolin insisted.
He also mentioned Pope Leo’s “penetrating” appeal for peace, which “continues to resound with quiet yet firm insistence every Sunday, calling on us to lay down our weapons and follow principles other than those of profit and power.”
