On the opening day of his stay in Lebanon, the Cardinal Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development engaged with young Christian leaders at the Leadership Academy for Peace and later spent time with Patriarch Bechara Raï.  

Beirut presents a complex contrast—at first glance, its daily hum might suggest normalcy, but the scars of the 2020 port explosion and war-damaged structures remind all of its ongoing struggles. A city of swirling smog, winding roads, and looming skyscrapers, its pulse beats between devastation and resilience. To one side, the wreckage of the Dahieh district—bombed in past conflicts—bears silent witness to destruction, while elsewhere, vibrant shopfronts with illuminated Arabic-English signs, lively venues, and a stunning sunset over the Mediterranean paint a different story.  

Lebanon continues to reel from an economic collapse that has forced thousands of its youth to seek futures abroad. Recent conflict in the south has further strained an already burdened nation, with war damage even reaching Beirut. Hosting a population of seven million, Lebanon also shelters an additional three and a half million refugees, from Syrians and Palestinians to migrant workers from Africa and Asia.  

Against this backdrop, Cardinal Michael Czerny arrived on a mission spanning February 19 to 23, carrying Pope Francis’s message of solidarity to the country’s bishops and bolstering Church efforts on the ground. As he embarked on his journey, thoughts of the Pope—hospitalized in Rome—remained with him. Entrusting the Holy Father’s health to Our Lady of Lebanon, he offered prayers beneath her statue, which stands atop a 600-meter-high hill overlooking the city and sea.  

Upon arriving in Beirut, he urged those gathered to pray for the Pope’s swift recovery. The Cardinal was welcomed at Rafic Hariri Airport by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Paolo Borgia and Maronite Archbishop Youssef Soueif of Tripoli. The airport itself has borne witness to war, its runways etched into the memories of Lebanese people who have seen flights land under skies lit by Israeli air raids. Archbishop Soueif, reflecting on Lebanon’s cycle of unrest, remarked that war seems an inescapable part of life, with conflicts resurfacing every fifteen years since the civil war began in 1975.  

The latest skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah have once again upended fragile balances, displacing southern residents and forcing them northward. Though their presence reshapes the landscape, the Church has steadfastly extended its support, offering refuge and advocacy with the freedom it enjoys.  

Even as bombs fell, many Lebanese refused to abandon their homeland. Archbishop Soueif emphasized that despite hardships, the people remain committed to rebuilding. The election of President Joseph Aoun, following prolonged political paralysis, has provided a glimmer of hope. He underscored the urgent need to strengthen governance and restore trust both domestically and internationally. A functional system, he asserted, would encourage people to stay and invest in their future.  

Yet, economic despair lingers. The collapse of Lebanon’s banking system erased citizens’ savings, and the once-stable Lebanese lira, which traded at 1,500 per U.S. dollar, skyrocketed to 90,000. Although some businesses and agriculture, particularly in Tripoli, show signs of revival, wages remain insufficient. Young people see little prospect of marriage or home ownership; they live on the bare minimum.  

The Church remains a beacon of support, as parish offices receive a steady stream of those in need. Archbishop Soueif, visibly moved, spoke of the Lebanese diaspora sending financial aid home, with remittances totaling $7–8 billion annually—an extraordinary act of solidarity that reassures citizens they are not forgotten.  

Bringing such reassurance is central to Cardinal Czerny’s mission. Over the next few days, he will travel to Tripoli and southern villages. His agenda is packed with official meetings, including an address at the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon (APECL), the key reason for his visit. On Wednesday night, he met with Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Béchara Boutros Raï in Bkerké before engaging in discussions with young leaders from the Leadership Academy for Peace.  

This initiative, supported by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, seeks to equip Catholic youth under 35 from across the MENA region with the knowledge and skills to enter politics grounded in Catholic Social Teaching.  

Before this gathering, the Cardinal visited the tomb of Jesuit Father Peter Hans Kolvenbach, the former Superior General of the Society of Jesus, who taught in Lebanon and wished to be buried there. His resting place, a simple marble slab among Jesuits and missionaries, lies in the cemetery of Collège Notre-Dame in Baabda—one of Lebanon’s premier institutions, overseen by the Jesuits.  

For over a decade, Cardinal Czerny served as Fr. Kolvenbach’s secretary for social apostolate matters. Kneeling at the tomb, he reflected on his mentor’s impact, recalling how he revitalized Jesuit spirituality and mission, culminating in the 1995 revision of the Jesuit Constitutions.  

Kolvenbach’s legacy endures at Collège Notre-Dame, where 3,300 students—predominantly Christians—receive an education that remains a gold standard, even among Lebanon’s Muslim community, because it upholds quality, values, and the Gospel’s guiding principles.  

These same ideals inspire the 120 young participants at the Leadership Academy for Peace. Several shared their experiences with Cardinal Czerny, expressing their commitment to shaping Lebanon’s future. Michel, grateful for the initiative, stressed that Christians must raise their voices and actively contribute. Fouad spoke of the widespread reluctance among youth to engage in politics—not from indifference, but from a deep sense of disillusionment. Yet, he declared, "If we don’t step up, who will?"  

Jihan, an ardent believer in Lebanon’s future, admitted that politics often appears tainted by corruption. However, she argued, the academy teaches that true governance is not inherently flawed but something that can be redeemed. Rudy, representing the Syriac Church at the Mediterranean Youth Council, and Julie, emphasizing that politics is an act of service deeply rooted in Christian faith, echoed similar sentiments.  

Twin brothers Joseph and Giovanni shared their social media initiative aimed at reshaping young people’s perception of Lebanon. They urged their peers to move beyond a victim mentality and recognize their potential as future leaders. "Many of us hesitate to take responsibility," they admitted, "but if we don’t embrace our role, change will never come."  

Acknowledging their determination, Cardinal Czerny encouraged them to be beacons of hope, inspiring others facing similar struggles. He reminded them that at the heart of governance lies fraternity—a lesson he has often discussed with Pope Francis. True leadership, he emphasized, emerges from a spirit of brotherhood.  

Quoting the wisdom of Saint Francis of Assisi, he underscored the Christian call to evangelization—through actions as much as words. He urged the youth to embody two guiding principles: prayer and action. Drawing from Saint Ignatius, he advised them to "pray as if everything depended on God; work as if everything depended on us."  

As the gathering concluded, the young leaders joined the Cardinal in reciting the Our Father, offering prayers for the swift recovery of Pope Francis.