Beirut: Pope Leo XIV affectionately known in Arabic as “Baba Lawun” received an emotional and heartfelt welcome as he arrived in Beirut for the second phase of his first Apostolic Journey. Thirteen years after the last papal visit, Lebanon has once again opened its doors to a successor of Peter, and the timing could not be more significant for a nation longing for stability and hope.
Pope Leo’s arrival comes at a moment when Lebanon is bearing immense strain. Beirut sits just 100 km from Damascus and a similar distance from northern Israel, positioning the country at the crossroads of regional conflict and geopolitical tension. The Pope’s presence in this landscape carries not only spiritual meaning but also a powerful diplomatic message. After centering his visit to Türkiye on ecumenical and interfaith relations, the Holy Father has now shifted his focus to peace, reflected in the official motto of the Lebanese visit: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Lebanon is currently confronting one of the deepest economic collapses in modern history. Hyperinflation, a near-worthless national currency, and severe shortages of medicine, fuel, and electricity have pushed the population into unprecedented hardship. Basic state services have all but collapsed, and widespread corruption continues to hinder recovery efforts. Compounding this crisis is the presence of nearly two million refugees Syrian and Palestinian who now account for roughly one-third of the country’s population, intensifying social pressure and stretching resources thin.
In this vacuum of state functionality, religious institutions especially those connected to the Catholic Church have become essential pillars of support for local communities. As hospitals struggle, schools shutter, and public services fail, these institutions provide everything from humanitarian aid to social stability.
Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai, the Pope's host, spoke to Vatican News about the significance of the visit. He described Pope Leo XIV as arriving “not empty-handed, but carrying spiritual and moral gifts” at a time when the Lebanese people need both. The Patriarch expressed hope that the visit would awaken a desire for renewal, urging citizens not to see the visit as a ceremonial moment but as a transformative call. He appealed to the Lebanese to “turn the page,” reminding them that the Pope understands the depth of Lebanon’s suffering and comes with a message meant to inspire genuine change, peace, and hope.
Lebanon’s unique democratic system built on power-sharing between religious communities makes it unlike any other nation in the Middle East. This structure is visibly reflected in the Pope’s first engagements, all focused on the political institutions that embody Lebanon’s confessional balance.
After the airport welcome ceremony, Pope Leo XIV met with President Joseph Aoun, who by constitutional requirement must be a Maronite Christian. He then met Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, representing the Shiite community, followed by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, a Sunni Muslim. These three encounters symbolically acknowledge the tri-confessional pillars that sustain the Lebanese state.
The culmination of the Pope’s first day will be a key address to political leaders, civil society representatives, and members of the diplomatic corps. This speech his first on Lebanese soil carries substantial expectations, as it is anticipated to outline the Holy Father’s vision for peace-building, coexistence, and renewed national unity.
As Lebanon welcomes “Baba Lawun,” the atmosphere is one of cautious optimism. For many, the Papal visit represents not only a gesture of solidarity but a profound reminder that Lebanon, despite its suffering, remains a vital symbol of coexistence, culture, and faith in the Middle East.