For millions of Lebanese, the Pope visit and words are expected to carry a powerful message of hope and reconciliation. Preparations are already underway.
Newsroom (08/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) The official announcement from the Vatican on Tuesday, October 7, confirming Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon from November 30 to December 2, has sparked widespread joy across the country. The pontiff’s journey to the Land of the Cedars, a nation long regarded as a symbol of peaceful coexistence, comes half a century after the start of its civil war and amid ongoing regional tensions, particularly along the southern border with Israel. For millions of Lebanese, the Pope’s words are expected to carry a powerful message of hope and reconciliation.
“This visit, in such an unstable time for our region, is a profound sign of hope during the Jubilee,” said Bishop Cesar Essayan, the Latin Apostolic Vicar of Beirut, in an interview with Vatican media. “It’s a hope we hold not only for Lebanon but, I believe, for the entire region. Pope Leo has already spoken of the need for a ‘time of peace,’ and we pray his visit will bring a breath of peace and renewal for all of us. May it remind us that the only path for humanity is one of dialogue, justice, and respect for every person’s dignity.”
A Nation Prepares with Enthusiasm
Anticipation for the papal visit has been building for months, both in private discussions and across social media and local media outlets. Preparations are already underway, with committees forming to organize events and logistics. Young people, in particular, are at the forefront of these efforts. Seven hundred Lebanese youth participated in the Jubilee of Young People in Rome last July and August, and they are now eagerly preparing for their encounter with Pope Leo XIV.
“There is a deep desire among Christians and Muslims alike to hear the Pope’s words,” Bishop Essayan noted. “His voice, as a shepherd and a father, offers something rare—a message that transcends the language of war and calls for humanity to rediscover its shared brotherhood and sisterhood.”
A Symbol of Unity in a Fractured Region
Lebanon, a country where the question of unity is ever-present and the specter of conflict looms large, sees the Pope’s visit as a pivotal moment. Bishop Essayan expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV will reaffirm the vision of Lebanon as a model of coexistence, as his predecessors have done. “Pope Francis, though he never visited, consistently brought Lebanon to the world’s attention, as if to say, ‘This country must not be touched.’ He championed our society of coexistence,” the bishop said. “I believe Pope Leo will come with the same spirit, to rekindle the flame of communion and unity among us. This is critical not just for Lebanon’s survival but for the entire Middle East.”
As Lebanon grapples with its challenges, from internal divisions to regional instability, the Pope’s visit is seen as a beacon of hope—a call to renew faith in dialogue and solidarity. For a nation and a region weary of conflict, the message of Pope Leo XIV may offer a path toward healing and a reminder of Lebanon’s enduring role as a bridge between peoples.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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