Pope Leo XIV’s Historic Lebanon Visit: Full Recap and Key Moments

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, completed his three-day apostolic journey to Lebanon from November 30 to December 2, 2025. The visit was marked by a powerful, singular message of peace, unity, and hope, aimed at healing the nation’s profound political divisions, economic collapse, and sectarian anxieties. The trip was structured to touch upon the highest political offices, the nation’s most revered spiritual sites, and the deepest emotional wounds of the Lebanese people.
Day 1: Political Engagement and Call for Perseverance
The visit began on Sunday, November 30, with the Pope’s arrival at the Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. The focus of the first day was immediately directed at the nation’s leadership, underscoring the Vatican’s concern for Lebanon’s political stability.
* Official Meetings: The Pope held rapid-fire private meetings with President Joseph Aoun, the Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Baabda Presidential Palace.
* Key Address: In his main address to civil authorities and the diplomatic corps, Pope Leo XIV challenged leaders to be “peacemakers” by setting aside sectarian and factional interests. He praised the Lebanese people’s “perseverance” and resilience but warned that failure to prioritize the “common good” over individual agendas was driving the mass emigration of youth and threatening the country’s unique identity.
Day 2: Spiritual Unity and Interfaith Dialogue
Monday, December 1, was dedicated to strengthening the spiritual and ecumenical foundations of the country, blending solemn pilgrimage with public unity.
* Historic Pilgrimage: Pope Leo XIV made an unprecedented visit to the tomb of Saint Charbel Makhlouf at the Monastery of Saint Maroun in Annaya. Despite heavy rain, thousands gathered. The Pope prayed, entrusting the needs of the Church, Lebanon, and the entire Levant to the widely revered saint’s intercession.
* Pastoral Meeting in Harissa: The Pope then visited the iconic Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa. During a meeting with the clergy, he presented the highly symbolic Golden Rose and urged Lebanon’s religious workers to be “anchors of hope” for their communities.
* Interfaith Summit: The afternoon featured a crucial Ecumenical and Interfaith Dialogue Meeting in Martyrs’ Square, Beirut. The event gathered Christian and Muslim leaders, where the Pope emphasized that Lebanon must remain a sign of peace and coexistence, demonstrating that shared faith can build a future free from conflict.
Day 3: Solidarity, Final Mass, and Farewell
The final day, Tuesday, December 2, was an emotional climax focusing on solidarity with the suffering and a massive farewell message.
* Solidarity with the Sick: The Pope began the day with a visit to the De La Croix Hospital in Jal El Dib, meeting with medical staff and patients, offering a gesture of comfort and charitable service.
* Beirut Port Prayer: In a moment of national mourning, Pope Leo XIV held a silent, poignant prayer at the Port of Beirut, honoring the victims of the 2020 explosion and meeting personally with survivors and bereaved family members.
* Grand Mass: The final public event was a massive Holy Mass celebrated at the Beirut Waterfront, drawing an estimated 150,000 faithful. In his final homily, the Pope urged the nation to find justice, cast off political divisions, and “reawaken the dream of a united Lebanon.”
* Farewell: The trip concluded with a farewell address at the airport, where the Pope left the Lebanese people with a message of hope and resilience, affirming that he would continue to work with them for peace in the region.
The Pope’s visit, undertaken at a critical juncture of regional instability, reinforced Lebanon’s historical role as a Christian stronghold in the Middle East and amplified the global call for dialogue and peace.