Lebanon has appealed to the Holy See to help protect Christian communities in the south of the country.

A humanitarian crisis has unfolded in Lebanon as a result of renewed hostility between Israel and Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy. The two sides have been exchanging rocket fire since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, causing hundreds of thousands of people in the region to flee their homes. Latest estimates say more than 630 people have been killed in Lebanon in the past week.

Lebanon’s foreign affairs minister Youssef Raggi posted on social media that during a telephone conversation with the Vatican secretary for relations with states and international organizations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, they exchanged views on the latest situation, particularly the difficulties faced by border villages in the south.

He said the archbishop had affirmed that “the Holy See is making all the necessary diplomatic contacts to halt the escalation in Lebanon and to prevent the displacement of citizens from their lands”.

Archbishop Paul also assured the minister of the Pope’s prayers for the people of Lebanon.

It comes just days after a Maronite priest was killed while trying to help parishioners in the south of the country. At his weekly audience Pope Leo urged Christians to pray that the death of Fr Pierre al-Rahi would become a “seed of peace” for Lebanon.