Pope in Lebanon prays for peace at the tomb of a saint respected by both Christians and Muslims

ANNAYA, Lebanon Pope Leo XIV began his first full day in Lebanon by visiting the tomb of St. Charbel Makhlouf, a Lebanese saint revered by both Christians and Muslims, emphasizing peace and religious harmony in a region affected by conflict.

As rain fell, the popes covered popemobile moved through the streets lined with thousands of cheering Lebanese. People waved both Lebanese and Vatican flags, and scattered flower petals and rice to greet him warmly as he arrived in Annaya, approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Beirut.

St. Charbel, a Maronite hermit who lived from 1828 to 1898, is renowned for miraculous healings attributed to prayers for his intercession. Each year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit the hilltop monastery overlooking the sea to pray at his tomb. In the dimly lit tomb, Pope Leo offered a lamp as a gift to the monastery and prayed silently.

We entrust to St. Charbels intercession the needs of the church, Lebanon, and the world, Leo said in French. We pray for peace, particularly for Lebanon and the Levant.

Following the visit, the pope traveled to Harissa, north of Beirut, to a jubilant reception at the Our Lady of Lebanon Basilica. Priests, nuns, and laypeople welcomed him enthusiastically, with women ululating and crowds chanting in his honor. Many reached out to touch or kiss his hand as he proceeded to the sanctuary.

Later in Beirut, Pope Leo was scheduled to participate in an interfaith gathering with Christian and Muslim leaders, underscoring his message of coexistence amid ongoing tensions in Gaza and Lebanons political unrest. His visit arrives as Lebanon struggles with economic crises, political stalemates, and lingering effects of the 2020 Beirut port explosion.

This visit brings hope to Lebanon after years of conflict and despair, said Rev. Youssef Nasr, secretary-general of Catholic Schools in Lebanon, welcoming the pope in Harissa. It motivates our people to remain committed to their country.

Lebanon faces further divisions over calls for Hezbollah to disarm after last years conflict with Israel. Throughout the day, Pope Leo traveled in a closed popemobile, guarded by Lebanese troops along the route, a more secure approach than his predecessor Pope Francis had used.

The pope was also expected to meet with Lebanese youth at Bkerki, encouraging them to stay in their homeland despite economic and social challenges. Arriving from Turkey, Leo called on Lebanons leaders to set aside differences and promote peace, while urging Christians in particular to maintain their presence in the country.

Christians now constitute roughly one-third of Lebanons population of five million, and the Maronite Christian president reflects the nations unique religious structure in the Arab world. Despite regional conflicts, Lebanons Christian community remains an enduring presence, contrasting with the mass exodus in neighboring Iraq and Syria.

We will remain here, said pilgrim May Noon outside St. Charbel Monastery. We must live together in peace because the church has no enemy.

Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, who traveled with Lebanese diaspora members from Australia, highlighted the importance of supporting young families to stay in Lebanon. We are grateful the pope came on his first trip to remind suffering people they are not forgotten, he said.

Pope Leos visit represents a call for unity, resilience, and interfaith understanding at a critical moment for Lebanons future.

Author: Sophia Brooks