Pope Leo XIV meets Lebanon’s youth in Bkerke

Among the most prominent meetings that Pope Leo XIV held in Lebanon was with the youth in Bkerke. This event marked the importance and special place that the young people (the future of the Church) hold in the pontiff’s heart and mind.

Ever since the meeting was announced, thousands of youths had been waiting in anticipation, while organizations quickly began for the Pope’s intended visit. Therefore, an exclusive interview was given to The Beiruter by Yolande Semaan, coordinator of the Media and Communications Committee for the Pope’s Encounter with the Youth in Bkerke.

What was the significance of the Youth meeting?

Semaan believed that the meeting’s significance lied in the fact that “the Pope, during his first trip outside the Vatican, dedicated a special meeting to the youth. Despite the limited number of visits the Pope managed to conduct in Lebanon (due to time constraints), the pontiff considered young people to be a central element of this visit, as he is among the popes who believed that youth are the future of the Church.”

She added that “this meeting was extremely important for the youth, as we viewed it as a symbol of hope for Lebanon.” This was clearly reflected in the chosen slogan ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’ which, according to Semaan, “expressed the message the Pope sought to convey to Lebanon.” Here, she asserted that it is “essential to emphasize the term ‘peacemakers,’ for the blessing lies not only in ‘peace,’ but in those who strive for it. Therefore, today we, as young people, believe that we are capable of being among the makers of peace.”

Thus, Semaan claimed that this meeting “was not merely a national gathering but one that brings together the youth of all Lebanon (from all churches, sects, and religions). It was a message of unity for all young people in Lebanon in the service of peace.”

What was the program set for the youth gathering?

Semaan revealed that the meeting was dedicated to youth aged 16-35, bringing together around 12,000 young men and women. The venue opened its doors at 2:00 p.m., as the gathering began at 3:00 p.m.

The program before the Pope’s arrival (3:00–5:00 p.m.):

This part was highly interactive. It included games played among the youth through screens and TVs, learning the jingle (the special hymn for the youth meeting with the Pope) together, reciting hymns and prayers, screening documentaries about the pontiff to get to know him better, as well as a video showcasing youth activities throughout the year.

The program after the Pope’s arrival (after 5:00 p.m.):

Upon arrival, the Pope made a tour in the popemobile. The area in Bkerke was divided into zones, allowing the Pope to pass by between the young people (for around 15–20 minutes). Afterwards, he was met by 7 youths (each representing one of the 7 Catholic Churches in Lebanon) who joined hands with the pontiff and ascended the stage alongside him.

This segment included a youth performance depicting their collective suffering over recent years (from the uprising, the Beirut Port Blast, to economic, social, security, and political hardships), 2 questions addressed to the Pope by the youth, and finally a speech or an address by the Pope to the attendees. At the end, the youth made a pledge to the Pope (a commissioning promise which was recited), “stemming from their belief that the pontiff can offer a message of peace not only for Lebanon but for the entire region,” according to Semaan.

What message did the Pope bring to the youth in this meeting? And what were the expected outcomes?

Semaan believed that 3 crucial fruits and outcomes resulted from the youth meeting:

A Dynamic spirit of the work: The first outcome observed by the youth was the dynamic spirit of the work. This gathering enabled young people from all of Lebanon’s churches to work together like a beehive. Semaan affirmed that “APECL JEUNE – Liban and Bkerke Jeune served as the organizing committee for the event, collaborating to ensure that all youth from Lebanon’s Catholic Churches were part of the working committees formed for the preparations. What we saw was a young church working, preparing, and witnessing together.”

The Pope came to listen to the youth: The second outcome is that the Pope came to listen to the youth. Semaan believed that “the idea of being heard by the Church’s hierarchy (the Pope, being the head of the Church and the representative of Jesus Christ on Earth) had a profound impact on young people.”

A message of peace from Lebanon: The third outcome is the message of peace from Lebanon. The Pope came to deliver a message of peace to the youth; from Lebanon to Lebanon itself, to the Middle East, and to the world as a whole.”

In conclusion, there is no doubt that this meeting left a profound mark in the hearts and minds of the youth, as well as the Pope. The fruits of this fervent exchange will definitely impact how the pontiff views both Lebanon and its youth, and, likewise, the latter will also carry the message the Pope Leo delivered and act on it accordingly.