By Marina Chaaya, Communication Officer, Mission Development Office, Lebanon
From November 30 to December 2, 2025, Lebanon welcomed Pope Leo XIV in a historic visit that touched the nation with hope, gratitude, and renewed unity. What unfolded during those three days was more than a series of official events — it was a moment of spiritual revival and national celebration at a time when the country deeply longed for reassurance.
The first day set an unforgettable tone. As the Pope arrived at Beirut International Airport, crowds lined the roads waving Lebanese and Vatican flags while the Lebanese Air Force accompanied his landing. Despite heavy rain, the welcome ceremony at the presidential palace was vibrant and joyful: a hundred-person Dabke troupe danced surrounding the entrance, and a 3D light show illuminated the palace façade with scenes of Lebanon’s history, resilience, and rebirth. The mix of music, rain, and emotion reflected the country’s spirit — wounded yet determined to rise again.
During the ceremony, President Joseph Aoun delivered a powerful message on behalf of all Lebanese. With stirring conviction, he declared: “Tell the world that we shall not die, nor leave, nor despair, nor surrender.” He described the Lebanese as “children of hope, children of the Resurrection… disciples of the One who told us not to fear, but to trust in Him.” His words resonated deeply with a population struggling through hardship yet refusing to lose faith in their homeland.
In his address to Lebanese officials, diplomats, and religious leaders, Pope Leo XIV affirmed what the president had expressed. He praised the Lebanese people’s extraordinary resilience, saying there is “a shining quality that distinguishes the Lebanese: you are a people who do not give up, but in the face of trials, always know how to rise again with courage.” He urged leaders to commit themselves to peace, justice, and coexistence, reminding them that Lebanon’s diversity is not a burden but a treasure.
The Pope’s next days were marked by deeply symbolic moments. At the Beirut Port, standing before the memorial of the 2020 explosion, he offered a silent prayer and met families of the victims — a gesture that brought comfort to many still carrying the pain of loss. In Annaya, he prayed before the tomb of Saint Charbel, where thousands gathered along the roads, waving flags and carrying candles to welcome him. His visit to the Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross underlined his message of compassion, dignity, and care for the most vulnerable.
One of the most uplifting gatherings took place with more than 13,000 young people from Lebanon and abroad. They presented art, testimonies, and prayers expressing their desire to stay in Lebanon and rebuild it. Encouraging them, the Pope asked the youth to become “promoters of peace” and to believe in their role in shaping the country’s future.
The visit culminated in a moving Mass on Beirut’s waterfront, attended by tens of thousands. In his homily, the Pope invited the people to “cultivate a sense of gratitude” for their land and to be “builders, announcers, and witnesses of peace.” Reflecting on Lebanon’s iconic cedar tree, he urged everyone to hold fast to the “small branch” of faith that can sustain hope for “a united Lebanon where peace and justice prevail.”
For many Lebanese — Christians, Muslims, and people of all backgrounds — the Pope’s presence felt like a blessing poured over the nation. For those working in social ministries, caring for displaced families, the poor, and the wounded, his words brought renewed strength and purpose.
As the Good Shepherd Sisters continue their mission across Lebanon — healing, educating, protecting, and accompanying those most affected by crisis — the Pope’s visit serves as a renewed call to persevere. His message reminds us that every act of compassion, every child comforted, every family supported, and every step toward peace carries the same spirit he celebrated in Lebanon: a spirit of a people who refuse to give up.
May the hope sown during these blessed days inspire our Good Shepherd mission and sustain our nation as we walk together toward a future rooted in dignity, faith, and love.
Discover more about the Good Shepherd mission in Lebanon here.
