Aoun to Visit Vatican, Meet Pope Francis

Following a tour he made where he visited several Arab and Gulf countries after his election in October, President Michel Aoun is expected to launch visits to European countries that will start in the Vatican for a meeting with Pope Francis, the National News Agency reported on Thursday.

The President will travel to the Vatican on March 15 and will hold the meeting with the Pope on March 16, NNA said.

Aoun is also scheduled to meet with secretary of the Vatican Cardinal Pietro Barawlin in the presence of senior Vatican officials.

He will take part in the afternoon Mass at St. Maron Church in Rome.

Following the mass, Lebanese Charge D'affaire to the Holy See, Albert Samaha, will hold a reception at the Maronite Institute in honor of the President.