ROME. Pope Leo XIV is expected to make Lebanon the destination of his first international trip this year, according to Cardinal Béchara Boutros Raï, the patriarch of the Lebanese Maronite faithful.
Speaking to Al-Arabiya TV, Cardinal Raï said the pontiff “will visit Lebanon,” though he noted that the exact timing remains uncertain. “There needs to be an agreement from the Vatican on when the visit will happen. There are preparations for the visit, but it’s unclear until the Vatican’s announcement,” he added.
A visit to Lebanon could also coincide with a planned trip to Turkey at the end of November, where Pope Leo is expected to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea alongside Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
The Vatican has not confirmed either trip. A spokesperson on Thursday declined to comment, in line with the Holy See’s practice of letting local churches announce papal visits before official confirmation.
If confirmed, Lebanon would be Pope Leo’s first opportunity to address peace in the Middle East and highlight the challenges faced by Christians in the region. The last papal visit to Lebanon was in September 2012, when Pope Benedict XVI traveled there on what became his final foreign trip.
Lebanon, home to around 6 million people, including more than 1 million Syrian and Palestinian refugees, has the highest percentage of Christians in the Middle East and is the only Arab nation with a Christian head of state. However, years of economic crisis, political instability, and conflict with Israel have threatened the presence of its Christian community.
The country is still reeling from a devastating economic collapse and a war with Hezbollah that ended only after a U.S. and France-brokered ceasefire in November. While the formation of a new government has raised hopes of recovery, tensions remain high, with Israel continuing to hold strategic border positions and launch strikes against Hezbollah targets.
The Vatican has long expressed concern over the safety of Christians in Lebanon, describing their presence as vital for the church’s role in the Middle East. Pope Francis, who died in April, had hoped to visit Lebanon but was prevented from doing so due to instability.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
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