ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) – Pope Leo XIV concluded his visit to Turkey on Sunday, before continuing to Lebanon. His aim was to deliver a message of hope to the nation’s long-suffering population and to support the vital Christian community in the Middle East. Leo's itinerary in Istanbul included significant events like a prayer service at the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral and a divine liturgy with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the leader of Orthodox Christians worldwide. This visit was prompted by Bartholomew's invitation to commemorate an important Christian anniversary.
On the second leg of his inaugural papal journey, Leo arrived in Lebanon at a particularly tumultuous time for the small Mediterranean nation, which has grappled with successive crises over the years. He is fulfilling a promise made by his predecessor, Pope Francis, who had hoped to visit Lebanon for years but was unable to do so due to health issues. Francis often referenced St. John Paul II, who famously stated in 1989 that Lebanon was more than a country; it represented a “message” of fraternity and coexistence.
Lebanon operates under a power-sharing government, where the presidency is held by a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, and the parliamentary speaker is a Shiite. In this Muslim-majority country, approximately one-third of the population is Christian, making Lebanon a focal point for the Vatican and a stronghold for Christians in the region. However, ongoing regional conflicts have led to a decline in these historic Christian communities, dating back to the time of the Apostles.
Pope Leo XIV's visit is expected to inspire Lebanese citizens who feel let down by their leaders and to encourage Lebanese Christians to remain in their homeland or return if they have moved abroad. Bishop George, the archbishop of the Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Beirut, emphasized the significance of the papal visit, especially in such trying times, noting that it symbolizes that Lebanon is not forgotten.
The country has faced numerous crises, including a severe financial collapse in 2019, which wiped out savings for many Lebanese and led to critical shortages in electricity, fuel, and medicines. The situation worsened in 2020 when an explosion at the Beirut port, caused by improperly stored ammonium nitrate, devastated nearby areas, resulting in 218 fatalities and significant economic damage. Pope Leo is scheduled to pray silently at the site of this tragedy on December 2, 2025, and meet with victims as part of his visit.
Lebanese citizens have expressed their frustration over the lack of accountability for the port explosion, which many attribute to government negligence. It has been five years since the blast, and no officials have faced legal consequences. There are expectations among the Lebanese that Pope Leo will call for accountability from their political leaders, emphasizing that peace cannot be achieved without truth and justice.
A key aspect of Leo's visit includes a meeting with the youth of Lebanon, where he is anticipated to offer encouragement as many young individuals continuously seek opportunities abroad, disillusioned by the failures of political leaders throughout the decades.
The context of the papal visit is complicated by ongoing conflicts in the region. The war escalated in September 2024 following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to a confrontation involving Hezbollah and Israel, resulting in over 4,000 fatalities and extensive destruction. Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, tensions remain high, with Israel conducting regular airstrikes aimed at diminishing Hezbollah’s military capabilities. Lebanese citizens continue to be apprehensive about the possibility of war returning.
In light of the situation, Hezbollah called on Pope Leo to express his condemnation of the injustices and aggressions faced by the country amid the ongoing Israeli strikes. The Shiite group has also mobilized its supporters to honor the Pope along his route from the airport to the presidential palace.
Additionally, the impact of Pope Leo's visit extends beyond Lebanon, as Syrian Christians hope to draw inspiration from it. Many Christian communities in Syria have been decimated due to 14 years of civil war, which were marked by sectarian violence and attacks against religious minorities. A group of 300 Syrian Christians, led by a Greek Melkite Catholic priest, planned to travel to Lebanon to meet the Pope, expressing their need for hope and reassurance for Christians facing an uncertain future.
