Lebanon: On the second day of his Apostolic Visit to Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV paid a solemn visit to the tomb of Saint Charbel Makhlouf in Annaya, reflecting on the hermit saint’s enduring spiritual legacy and offering a message of peace and hope to a nation in crisis.
Every year, thousands of pilgrims both Christians and Muslims journey to Annaya to pray at Saint Charbel’s tomb. This morning, Pope Leo XIV joined the faithful in silent devotion, entering the Monastery of St. Maroun, which houses the saint’s final resting place. At the monastery’s main entrance, he was warmly received by the monastery’s superior, Superior General of the Lebanese Maronite Order Abbot Mahfouz Hady, as well as Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun and First Lady.
Before the tomb, the Pope prayed in quiet contemplation, later delivering remarks in French that highlighted the saint’s hidden yet world-reaching influence. He described Saint Charbel as “shaped by the Holy Spirit to teach prayer to those who live without God, silence to those who live amid noise, modesty to those who live for appearances, and poverty to those who pursue riches.”
The Pope noted that the saint’s contemplative life serves as a beacon of spiritual depth, demonstrating that humility and devotion can inspire countless lives across generations.
In a country grappling with economic collapse, widespread poverty, failing public services, the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, and ongoing regional tensions, Pope Leo XIV conveyed a heartfelt message of hope. “We ask for peace,” he said. “We implore it especially for Lebanon and for the whole Levant. But we know and the saints remind us that there is no peace without the conversion of hearts.”
Through his prayers, the Pope entrusted the Church, the people of Lebanon, and the wider world to Saint Charbel’s intercession, seeking guidance and protection amid challenges.
The ceremony concluded with a recitation of a prayer to Saint Charbel and the Pope’s Apostolic Blessing. In a symbolic gesture of devotion, Pope Leo XIV presented the monastery with a handcrafted silver-bronze votive lamp, saying:
“In offering this lamp, I entrust Lebanon and its people to the protection of Saint Charbel, that they may always walk in the light of Christ. Let us thank God for the gift of Saint Charbel! And thank you for preserving his memory. Walk in the light of the Lord!”
The visit underscored Saint Charbel’s spiritual significance as a source of unity and inspiration, offering both solace and encouragement to the faithful in Lebanon during challenging times.