Camille Naredo

Pope Leo XIV leaves following a Divine Liturgy at Patriarchal Church of Saint George, in Istanbul on November 30, 2025. Ozan Kose, AFP

Pope Leo XIV leaves following a Divine Liturgy at Patriarchal Church of Saint George, in Istanbul on November 30, 2025. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP)

Article (news)

Pope Leo

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764583878936AFP__20251130__86LM6AY__v1__HighRes__TurkeyVaticanPopeDiplomacy.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Pope Leo XIV leaves following a Divine Liturgy at Patriarchal Church of Saint George, in Istanbul on November 30, 2025. Ozan Kose, AFP" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Pope Leo XIV leaves following a Divine Liturgy at Patriarchal Church of Saint George, in Istanbul on November 30, 2025. <em>Ozan Kose, AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>ANNAYA, Lebanon -- Pope Leo XIV prayed for peace in Lebanon and the region on Monday as he kicked off day two of his trip to the multi-confessional country with a visit to a famous pilgrimage site.</p><p>Thousands of people cheered, ululated and threw rice in celebration as Leo travelled in the popemobile up a winding road to a monastery in Annaya in the mountains north of Beirut which hosts the tomb of Saint Charbel, AFP photographers said.</p><p>Leo arrived from Turkey on Sunday on his inaugural visit abroad as pontiff and brought a message of hope, particularly to youth in Lebanon whose faith in their crisis-hit country has dwindled.</p><p>&quot;For the world, we ask for peace. We especially implore it for Lebanon and for the entire Levant,&quot; he said from deep inside the candle-lit stone monastery.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/12/1/pope-arrives-in-lebanon-with-message-of-peace-for-crisis-hit-country-0035">READ: Pope arrives in Lebanon with message of peace for crisis-hit country</a></div><p>Saint Charbel is a Maronite hermit who was canonised in 1977 and who enjoys broad popularity beyond the Christian community.</p><p>Depictions of the white-bearded saint can be found in homes, vehicles and workplaces across the country.</p><p>Music resonated and bells rang out from the site where thousands had gathered amid strict security measures.</p><p>&quot;Saint Charbel is like a father to me, and is the greatest saint in my life,&quot; said beautician Jihane Daccache, standing in front of the monastery.</p><p>&quot;The pope&#x27;s visit today is historic, to a land that always yearns for peace. He brings a message of hope and faith to me and all Lebanese&quot; despite all the difficulties, she told AFP.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>- &#x27;Greatest blessing&#x27; -</strong></div><div><strong></strong><strong></strong><br/></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABsq79zp5n3p-AOr"></script><p>Leo has called on Lebanon&#x27;s leaders to serve their long-suffering people, who have emigrated in droves from the Mediterranean country.</p><p>Thousands of people had braved the rain and lined the streets north of Beirut from early morning to give the pope a warm welcome as his motorcade passed, with some waving Lebanese or Vatican flags.</p><p>&quot;Everyone goes to Rome to see the pope, but he has come to us,&quot; said housewife Therese Daraouni, 61, among those waiting to see Leo.</p><p>&quot;This is the greatest blessing, and the greatest grace and hope for Lebanon. I hope people unite for the sake of Lebanon and its people,&quot; she told AFP.</p><p>Lebanon is reeling from a six-year economic collapse widely blamed on official corruption and mismanagement, and many also fear renewed war between Israel and Hezbollah despite a ceasefire in November 2024 that sought to end more than a year of hostilities.</p><p>Israel has intensified strikes on Lebanon in recent weeks despite the truce, while the cash-strapped Lebanese government is under heavy US pressure to disarm the Iran-backed militants.</p><p>&quot;We are very happy about the pope&#x27;s visit. His trip has brought a smile back to our faces,&quot; said Yasmine Chidiac, hoping to catch sight of the pope.</p><p>&quot;We always have hope and faith in peace, and hope that Lebanon remains a beacon and meeting place&quot; for the world, she added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/11/28/pope-urges-turkey-to-embrace-mediator-role-on-first-overseas-trip-0831">READ: Pope urges Turkey to embrace mediator role on first overseas trip</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>- Inter-religious meeting -</strong></div><p>Leo is to address bishops and clergy at a shrine in Harissa, also north of Beirut, where a giant statue of Our Lady of Lebanon overlooks the Mediterranean from a plunging hilltop.</p><p>The pope will also hold an inter-religious event in central Beirut&#x27;s Martyrs&#x27; Square with figures from many of Lebanon&#x27;s 18 officially recognised religious denominations.</p><p>He will then meet young people at the patriarchate of Lebanon&#x27;s Maronite church in Bkerke, outside the capital.</p><p>Authorities have proclaimed Monday and Tuesday as official holidays, and ramped-up security measures include road closures and a ban on all drone photography.</p><p>Leo has called on Lebanon&#x27;s leaders to place themselves &quot;with commitment and dedication at the service&quot; of the people and has urged reconciliation in a country whose 1975-1990 civil war divisions have never fully healed.</p><p>&quot;Peace is knowing how to live together, in communion, as reconciled people,&quot; Leo had said, also noting Lebanon&#x27;s &quot;exodus of young people and families seeking a future elsewhere&quot;.</p><p>His trip has been eagerly awaited in multi-confessional Lebanon, where the last pope to visit was Benedict XVI in 2012.</p><p>In Turkey, Leo took a cautious approach, balancing political sensitivities while also urging unity and respect for religious diversity.</p>

<p>Pope Leo XIV prayed for peace in Lebanon and the region on Monday as he kicked off day two of his trip to the multi-confessional country with a visit to a famous pilgrimage site. </p>

Pope Leo XIV prayed for peace in Lebanon and the region on Monday as he kicked off day two of his trip to the multi-confessional country with a visit to a famous pilgrimage site.

Pope prays for peace in Lebanon, region

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Pope prays for peace in Lebanon, region

Clement Melki and Layal Abou Rahal,

Agence France-Presse

Published Dec 01, 2025 08:26 PM PHT

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religion

Catholic Church

Pope Leo

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Saint Charbel

Beirut

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