Pope tours Christian sites in Lebanon to urge Christians to stay in the region

Pope Leo XIV embarked on a significant visit to Lebanon on Monday, visiting prominent religious sites that attract both Christians and Muslims. His journey emphasizes Lebanons rich religious diversity while urging Christians to remain committed to the region.

Over recent decades, conflicts and the rise of extremist groups have forced hundreds of thousands of Christians to leave parts of the Middle East permanently. Leo arrived in Beirut on Sunday, following a visit to Turkey that began on November 27. During his visit, he encouraged Lebanese political leaders to prioritize peace and unity, delivering a message of hope to citizens and support to the countrys vital Christian community.

Lebanon, a Muslim-majority nation with roughly one-third of its population identifying as Christian, has long held importance for the Vatican as a stronghold for Christians in the region. Despite enduring numerous crises, Christians in Lebanon continue to enjoy religious freedom and hold considerable political influence. Since gaining independence from France in 1943, Lebanon has maintained a power-sharing system in which the president is a Maronite Christian, the parliament speaker is a Shiite Muslim, and the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, making it the only Arab country with a Christian head of state.

On Monday, Pope Leo XIV visited the Tomb of St. Charbel Makhlouf in Annaya and the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, both north of Beirut. These sites draw large numbers of Christian and Muslim visitors. He also planned to meet with interfaith leaders in central Beirut and engage with young people at the Maronite patriarchate.

The pope received an enthusiastic welcome from priests, nuns, and worshippers at the Maronite church. Crowds ululated, waved, and reached out to touch him, while chanting Viva il Papa as he entered the Our Lady of Lebanon Basilica. During his visit, Leo prayed for peace at the tomb of St. Charbel Makhlouf, a Lebanese saint revered by both Christians and Muslims. Speaking in French, he called for unity in the church and peace for Lebanon and the broader region.

Sisters and brothers, today we entrust to St. Charbels intercession the needs of the church, Lebanon and the world, he said. For the world, we ask for peace. We especially implore it for Lebanon and for the entire Levant.

His visit comes amid economic crises, political deadlock, and regional tensions, including the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut port explosion and ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflicts. Catholic leaders described the trip as a visit of hope for the nation. Father Youssef Nasr, secretary-general of Catholic Schools in Lebanon, said, The popes visit gives a new push to the Lebanese to rise and cling to their country. This is the message of His Holiness.

The visit also encourages young people to stay in Lebanon and build a future at home rather than seeking opportunities abroad. It is our hope that the young men and women abide by the popes call to cling to their country and look forward to building their hopes and dreams in Lebanon, Father Nasr said.

In Annaya and Harissa, pilgrims gathered at the hilltop monastery and shrine, braving rain and crowds. In Annaya, flags were waved as visitors awaited the pope, who carried a message of coexistence and peace for a country facing turmoil. We will stay here, no one can uproot us from this country, said May Noon. We must live as brothers because the church has no enemy. We need to live together in this country.

At Harissa, pilgrims gathered near the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, a hilltop statue of the Virgin Mary. Priest Hanna Rahme noted, The real martyrdom of Jesus Christ is among us, telling us that Lebanon is very important. We must save it, sacrifice for it and remain steadfast in it.

Pope Leo XIVs visit to the tomb of St. Charbel Makhlouf marks the first papal visit to this revered site, where tens of thousands of pilgrims pray annually. Later in the day, he met with priests and nuns in Harissa, presided over an interfaith meeting with Muslim leaders in Beirut, and concluded with a youth rally in Bkerke, encouraging young Lebanese to persevere despite the countrys challenges.

Leo began his Lebanese visit from Turkey on Sunday, and he plans to conclude his trip on Tuesday with a prayer at the site of the 2020 Beirut port blast and a Mass along the waterfront.

Commentary: Pope Leo XIV’s Visit to Lebanon - A Symbol of Unity and Hope

Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon comes at a pivotal moment for the country, offering more than just a spiritual message. The pope’s journey serves as a reminder of Lebanon’s unique position as a beacon of religious coexistence in the Middle East, even as it faces mounting crises. With tensions in the region and political instability at home, the pope's call for unity and peace carries deep significance.

Lebanon, a country that has endured both internal and external challenges, remains an essential stronghold for Christians in the region. While the Lebanese Christian population has dwindled over the years due to conflict, the continued presence of the community in Lebanon is vital not only for the country’s identity but also for the broader Middle Eastern stability. The pope’s message, urging Lebanese Christians to remain committed to their homeland, is crucial in light of the migration of Christians from other parts of the region under pressure from extremist forces.

The visit was not just about symbolism. The pope’s direct engagement with local faith leaders, his visit to important Christian and Muslim pilgrimage sites, and his interaction with the youth in Lebanon all point toward a deeper effort to reinforce Lebanon’s status as a model of interfaith harmony. At sites like the Tomb of St. Charbel Makhlouf, where both Christians and Muslims pray, Pope Leo XIV’s call for peace echoed the need for stronger bonds between the different religious communities that call Lebanon home.

Father Youssef Nasr’s statement about the pope’s visit “giving a new push to the Lebanese” highlights the importance of hope in these difficult times. Lebanon’s young people, often seeking better opportunities abroad due to the country’s deteriorating economic situation, are encouraged to stay and build a future within the country. Pope Leo XIV’s encouragement to “cling to their country” can be seen as a call to resilience and a rallying cry to renew faith in Lebanon’s future.

The pope’s visit underscores the importance of Lebanon in the larger geopolitical and religious context. It serves as a reminder that despite the overwhelming challenges, Lebanon remains a place where the principles of coexistence and dialogue are vital. As Pope Leo XIV departs Lebanon, his message of peace and unity lingers, leaving behind a nation reminded of its unique place in the Middle East and the world.

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• Pope visits Christian sites in Lebanon as he encourages Christians not to abandon the region