Pope Leo XIV: A mission of hope and peace in a turbulent Lebanon

“It was the beginning of the Orient… It was the beginning of the West.” With these words, veteran journalist and author Robert Fisk captured Beirut’s unique position as a bridge between East and West. In a similar spirit, newly elected Pope Leo XIV has chosen Lebanon as the destination of his first official visit abroad since assuming office on May 18, 2025.

On October 27, 2025, the Vatican announced the official itinerary for the pontiff’s visit, which is scheduled from November 30, 2025, to December 2, 2025. His predecessor, Pope Francis, had previously expressed his intention to visit Beirut in June 2022. However, his deteriorating health and subsequent passing ultimately prevented the visit from materializing. Today, it appears that the new Pope is realizing the aspirations once held by his late predecessor.

The significance of Lebanon with regards to the Vatican

Lebanon holds profound historical and symbolic importance for regional Christianity and the Vatican, standing at the intersection of faith, history, and geopolitics. Its significance can be analyzed through several intertwined dimensions, including historical, theological, cultural, and diplomatic.

The country that has been referenced over 70 times in the Holy Bible, often as a sacred land (which aligns with its prevailing label as the “Land of the Saints,” considering the vast number of saints who have emerged from Lebanon’s history) as well as for its infamous Cedar trees, is home to prominent biblical events. For instance, Christ’s ministry began in Cana in southern Lebanon (John 2:1-11), where Jesus performed his first miracle, while the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9), where Jesus’ divine glory was revealed to his disciples Peter, James, and John on a mountain, occurred on Mount Hermon in the south of Beqaa along the Lebanese-Syrian border. Additionally, the shrine of Our Lady of Mantara, located on the outskirts of the southern town of Maghdoushe, carries immense historical and religious importance. According to local beliefs, the Virgin Mary used to accompany Jesus on his missionary tours to Tyre, Sidon and surrounding areas, and wait in the mentioned site for his return. These pivotal events highlight Lebanon’s sacred position with regards to Christianity.

Aside from biblical references, the country itself was a major center for Christianity during the Roman and Byzantine eras. The religion was first introduced to Lebanon in the 1st century C.E., with apostles St. Peter and St. Paul playing a crucial role in evangelizing the region, establishing the ancient Patriarchate of Antioch (which included Lebanon). Subsequent figures further spread the faith in the land, especially as a community was formed around St. Maron, who practiced a tradition of monasticism and asceticism during the 5th century C.E.

Influenced by the latter hermit’s teachings, his followers later founded monasteries and eventually formed the Maronite Church (an Eastern Catholic rite in full communion with the Pope), with St. John (Youhanna) Maron as its first Patriarch, in the 7th century C.E. The Maronites are just one of the 6 main Catholic communities sui iuris (self-governing Catholic Churches that have their own specific laws and traditions within a rite of the Church) in Lebanon, which include the Melkite, Armenian, Syriac, Chaldean, and Latin Catholic Churches. However, the Maronite Church represents the largest Christian group in the country, comprising over 50% of the Christian population. It is also the oldest Eastern Catholic Church in full and unbroken communion with the Holy See, having formally declared its obedience to the Pope in 1182 (more than a century following the East-West Schism of 1054), thus forming the beginning of official ecclesiastical communion (the Fourth Lateran Council formally recognized this communion in 1215). These facts have made Lebanon a spiritual bridge between East and West. The Vatican views the Maronite Patriarchate as a strategic partner and representative voice for a significant portion of Middle Eastern Christians, with Maronite patriarchs often acting as interlocutors between Rome and the region’s political powers. This is also true with respect to the Lebanese scene due to the confessional system put in place (which allocates considerable political power for Christians, particularly Maronites).

Additionally, Lebanon’s political and social fabric, with 18 recognized sects, embodies a model of coexistence that the Vatican has long celebrated. Pope John Paul II famously called Lebanon “more than a country; it is a message of freedom and an example of pluralism for East and West,” in a general message to all the bishops of the Catholic Church on September 7, 1989. Considered as a spiritual refuge for persecuted minorities, Lebanon’s unique demographic composition and history of coexistence (although at times fraud with sporadic tensions and armed conflicts) have made it a symbol of interreligious dialogue and tolerance, which is a central priority of Vatican diplomacy in the Middle East. This has been Rome’s mission particularly since 2019, when the late Pope Francis signed the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” with Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb (the current Grand Imam of Egypt’s al-Azhar al-Sharif) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The groundbreaking document served as a global appeal for interfaith dialogue, mutual respect and peace, calling for an end to wars, extremism and injustice, while advocating for fundamental human rights and dignity for all. It aimed to be a guide for future generations to build a culture of coexistence and solidarity among people of all faiths and backgrounds. Thus, Lebanon retains a pivotal place in the Vatican’s vision for promoting peace and dialogue across the region and beyond.

Furthermore, as Christian populations diminish across the region (due to continuous crises, conflicts, persecution and the rise of extremism such as the Islamic State), Lebanon stands as the last stronghold of significant Christian political and cultural presence in the Middle East. Beirut represents a key gateway to the region, not only with regards to Christians but Muslims as well. The Vatican, therefore, sees its stability as essential for preserving the Christian footprint in the Middle East.

History of Lebanese-Vatican relations

The relation between Lebanon and the Vatican is two-fold. On the one hand, there is the State-to-State level, while, on the other hand, there exists direct and ongoing relations between the Catholic Churches in Lebanon and the Eastern churches in the region with the Holy See. However, both levels are intertwined and complement one another.

Prior to the creation of Lebanon as a sovereign independent state, the Vatican had established long-lasting ties with various communities in Lebanon. The most prominent among them are the Maronites, as previously outlined. In 1584, with the aim of preparing a select group of Maronite priests and thinkers, the “Maronite College” was inaugurated in Rome during Pope Gregory XIII’s term, marking the beginning of the tradition of appointing an ambassador for the Vatican in Lebanon and the Levant; among the latter was Jesuit Father Girolamo Dandini who was appointed as apostolic nuncio in 1596, who described the Maronites as “the vanguard of Catholic missions in the East.” The Holy See maintained its connection and support for the protection of Lebanon’s Christian population throughout history, including during the Ottoman era (1516-1918), sending special envoys to follow up on church affairs.

Following the creation of Greater Lebanon on September 1, 1920, and its subsequent independence on November 22, 1943, the Holy See established formal diplomatic relations with the newly sovereign Lebanese state in November 1946, due to efforts made by Michel Chiha (one of the prominent founders of the state and its constitution). This was achieved when Lebanon opened a legation and appointed Charles Helou (later to become president from 1964 till 1970) as the first minister plenipotentiary. He presented his credentials to Pope Pius XII on March 17, 1947, and the legation was elevated to an embassy on June 2, 1953.

The Vatican’s engagement with Lebanon did not cease in 1953. Although papal visits were somewhat rare, they nevertheless carried immense weight and hope to a country facing continuous peril and despair. The first visit for a pontiff to Lebanon was in 1964, when Pope Paul VI seized the opportunity of his passage through Beirut on his way to Bombay in India to announce the importance of Lebanon as a model for peaceful coexistence. The visit came amid the rise of Nasserism (or Pan-Arabism) and the 1958 crisis, which deeply polarized the country.

However, the most infamous visit till this very day is attributed to that of Pope John Paul II in 1997. It coincided with the period of the Vatican’s most interventionist involvement in a country under Syrian occupation and repression. In 1995, the pontiff convened the Synod of Bishops in Rome for Lebanon (which was unprecedented, as a Synod had never been held for a single country before, but rather only for entire continents). Muslim delegates (representing the Shia, Sunni and Druze communities of Lebanon) were also present, marking the first time that Islam has been represented at such a meeting. Subsequently the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation “A New Hope for Lebanon” was issued, in which the Pope described Lebanon as “more than a homeland; it is a message of freedom and pluralism.” The visit contributed greatly to the infamous Maronite Bishops’ Appeal for Syria’s withdrawal from Lebanon in the year 2000.

Furthermore, after convening the Synod on the Middle East in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI to discuss the situation of Christians in the region, the Pope also issued a post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation, titled “The Church in the Middle East: Communion and Witness,” calling for the full implementation of the principles of citizenship and equality. He later chose Lebanon as the place to deliver the Apostolic Exhortation (where all the Catholic Patriarchs gathered to receive it).

As for the late Pope Francis, one of his major engagements with Lebanon was his call for Catholics and all people around the world to observe September 4, 2020, as a day of prayer and fasting for Lebanon, under the slogan “Together for Lebanon.” Despite some administrative tensions with the Vatican in 2019, regarding the latter’s reservations concerning the appointment of Johnny Ibrahim as Lebanon’s ambassador to the Holy See, it was nevertheless resolved with Farid Elias al-Khazen’s appointment.

Vatican diplomacy and soft power

The late Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin once rhetorically asked, “The Pope! How many divisions does the Pope have?” Unlike traditional nation-states, the Holy See lacks conventional forms of hard power. It has neither standing armed forces, nor is it equipped with destructive weapons and missiles. Instead, in its arsenal lie far more meaningful and influential instruments: soft power and cultural diplomacy.

The term “soft power,” coined by political scientist Joseph Nye Jr. during the 1980s, refers to a nation’s ability to influence others through persuasion and attraction rather than coercion (such as relying on projecting its values, ideals, and culture across borders). Closely related is “cultural diplomacy,” a form of soft power that involves the deliberate exchange of cultural elements among nations. Both instruments seek to foster mutual understanding, strengthen relationships, and advance national interests, which is precisely what Rome possesses and aims to promote.

The Vatican is a state of immense moral authority. It may lack military might or economic power, but it wields great moral strength. Indeed, despite occupying less than a half square kilometer of land in Rome (making it the smallest state in the world), the Holy See presides over the world’s largest religious community, the global Catholic population, which today numbers approximately 1.4 billion. It is also a non-member observer state of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) since April 6, 1964, with full diplomatic relations with 184 states (for comparison, the United States and China maintain diplomatic ties with some 180 and 181 countries, respectively). Such major diplomatic representation provides the Vatican with tremendous global influence, which countries like Lebanon can benefit from.

Two prominent examples of the Vatican’s influence include its role as an arbitrator in resolving several international disputes (such as the conflict between Germany and Spain over the Carolines Islands), as well as the Pope’s impact on the fall of the Berlin Wall and German unification (which ultimately led to the collapse of the USSR in 1991). Martin Rothweiler, Director of Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) Germany, claimed that “without Pope John Paul II, the German reunification would not have happened!”

Exclusive Interview with Monseigneur Michel Aoun regarding the visit and its message

As noted in the introduction, Pope Leo XIV has chosen Lebanon as his first international destination. This decision holds significant weight, particularly in light of the political, economic, social and security challenges the country has been facing in recent years.

In an exclusive interview for The Beiruter, the Bishop of the Maronite Eparchy of Jbeil, his Excellency Monseigneur Michel Aoun, said that “without a doubt, the Pope was asked about Lebanon. He said that Lebanon, meaning the Lebanese people, has suffered greatly in recent times, and has even faced injustice from various events and circumstances.” He added that “in my view, the fact that the Pope chose Lebanon as his first destination is an expression of his closeness to Lebanon and the Lebanese people.” Despite the country’s hardships, Pope Leo XIV’s stance was reaffirmed when Jordanian Queen Rania asked the pontiff, “Your Holiness, do you think it is safe to travel to Lebanon?” to which he responded, “Well, we’re going.”

Interestingly, during previous papal visits, there was a clear necessity for the Pope to come to Lebanon. It has always been customary that after a Synod is convened, the Pope issues an Apostolic Exhortation. This was the case with both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, which made it necessary for them to travel to Beirut and personally deliver it in 1997 and 2012, respectively. Today, however, there is no Apostolic Exhortation, nor any specific connection obliging the Pope to visit the country as in the previous two cases. From here, Aoun claimed that “this time, the visit stems from the Pope’s heart, from his love for Lebanon and his close follow-up on Lebanese affairs through the Secretariat of State (which handles political affairs). He is therefore acutely aware of the country’s fragile state and feels the need to stand by it.”

Moreover, according to Monseigneur Aoun, the Pope has set two themes for his visit: the first is that he is coming “as a messenger of peace (that is, to proclaim peace)” and second, that he is coming to “give us a dose of hope.” The issue of peace is of particular interest for the new Pope, which was evident during his first appearance as the Successor of Peter from the Central Loggia of St Peter’s Basilica, during which he greeted the crow by saying, “Peace be with you all!” Aoun added that “in light of the current circumstances, where new maps are being drawn and critical transformations are taking place in the region, the Pope’s visit comes to tell us that the Church stands beside us, and to declare that Lebanon is a need; a need for the Middle East and for the world at large, as it can serve as a model of coexistence between Muslims and Christians.” This is especially true as Lebanon has long been considered a model of coexistence, a notion reaffirmed by UNGA Resolution 73/344 (2019), which established the “Academy for Human Encounters and Dialogue” in Lebanon. In Aoun’s opinion, “this is what led the Pope to request, among his meetings, the holding of an interfaith encounter (a meeting between Muslim and Christian religious leaders) so that he might meet, address and listen to them, as well as express the idea that this is the Lebanon he seeks to preserve.”

Yet the Pope’s visit comes amid deep political divisions, rising security concerns with the threat of renewed war, and growing social fragmentation among Lebanon’s diverse communities. Thus, Monseigneur Aoun believed that the visit

Could help bring us back to dialogue (especially with our Shiite brethren), because it is unhealthy for there to be ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ among us. We must seek to convince the other side that our shared goal is to rebuild Lebanon together, that we must join hands and strive to understand the political transformations taking place around us, lest we remain on the sidelines while new maps are being drawn and new dialogues unfold in the region.

He added that “I therefore hope that the Pope’s visit will send a message to all Lebanese, encouraging us to make the most of this moment, to unite and work together in solidarity toward the Lebanon we all dream of; one that is not divided, but guided by a shared vision of the country we seek to build.”

Another alarming matter for the Vatican is the issue of mass emigration from Lebanon, particularly with regards to the Christian youth community. Since 2019, the numbers of Lebanese emigrants have been in constant rise, with no prospect of potential decline (which has had devastating repercussions on the country’s workforce, economy and even its very own raison d’être). In 2021, the Vatican’s foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, raised these concerns by saying,

The Holy See is deeply concerned about the political, economic and social collapse of the country, which affects in a particular way the Christian community and the identity of Lebanon.

Gallagher claimed that “the Christian community is weakened to the point that the balance of the Lebanese identity itself is at risk, further endangering the Christian presence in the Middle East.” Therefore, aside from the crucial economic reforms needed to put the economy back on track, restore job opportunities and rebuild young people’s trust in their leaders, Aoun hoped the Pope’s visit could “help us become more aware of this reality, and inspire us all to take the necessary steps, to begin the long-awaited reforms and to set things right across all sectors: political, economic, and social.” He added that “I am also aware that many young Lebanese living abroad are unhappy and would prefer to return home if the situation improves. In this sense, I believe the Vatican, through this visit, may help us create the conditions that encourage our youth, of all faiths, to remain in Lebanon.”

As for the possible cancelation of the visit due to escalatory Israeli strikes and rumours of a potential renewal of the war, Aoun firmly asserted that

The visit has been confirmed and will proceed as scheduled. There will be no postponement!

He revealed that “preparations are well underway, especially regarding logistics. Work has already begun on the site for the Mass in Beirut, and at Bkerke we have started organizing the youth gathering.”

In short, the Pope’s visit brings to Lebanon strength and a renewed sense of hope. However, Aoun believed that “this visit, will bear fruit only if we embrace it; if we take responsibility for building a united nation together (Christians and Muslims alike), and if we are willing to undertake an act of repentance (to acknowledge that we have all wronged Lebanon, and to commit together, hand in hand, to rebuild it).” He added that “the Pope’s visit thus places a responsibility upon us all. Should we fail to shoulder it, the visit will not yield the desired outcomes.”

In conclusion, Monseigneur Aoun urged the Lebanese people “to participate actively (whether on the roads, at the Mass in Beirut, the youth gathering in Bkerke, or the Pope’s visit to Saint Maron Monastery in Annaya), so that we may receive this great guest, whom we never imagined would visit us, with utmost generosity, through our physical presence that expresses our joy and gratitude to him and for his visit.”