Pope Leo is preparing to visit Lebanon later this year, the country’s most senior Catholic cleric announced on Wednesday, in what would mark the new pontiff’s first trip abroad since taking office.
Cardinal Bechara Rai, head of the 3.5-million-strong Maronite Catholic Church, told al-Arabiya television that the pope would travel to Lebanon “by December”, though he did not specify a date and said only that preparations were under way.
A Lebanese official familiar with the matter confirmed discussions were ongoing about a visit towards the end of the year, though no date had been finalised.
Leo, the first American pope, was elected on 8th May to succeed the late Pope Francis, who had intended to visit Lebanon but was unable to do so due to health concerns.
Lebanon is home to more than two million Catholics, according to Vatican figures.
While the Vatican did not immediately respond to Cardinal Rai’s comments, a Vatican official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed a trip was being planned and suggested it might form part of a wider tour also including Turkey.
Foreign travel has become a hallmark of the modern papacy, serving as a means of engaging local Catholic communities, advancing diplomacy and spreading the faith.
Popes frequently attract vast crowds on such visits. During his 12-year papacy, Francis undertook 47 overseas journeys to 68 countries, often choosing destinations on the margins of global attention to highlight the struggles of what he called the “peripheries” of the world.
Pope Leo is already expected to travel to Turkey in late November for events marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, held in what is now Iznik.
In a message to Lebanon earlier this month, Leo recalled the fifth anniversary of the devastating Beirut port explosion, which killed 200 people and caused billions of dollars’ worth of damage. “Beloved and suffering Lebanon remains at the centre of our prayers,” the pope said.
American popstar, Madonna had earlier called on the Pontiff to visit Gaza and "shine his light" on the children there.
At least five people have died following a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the Philippines on Tuesday, authorities report....
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a missile strike on the Dutch-flagged cargo vessel Minervagracht, saying the attack was carrie...
A flotilla of ships heading towards the Gaza Strip is preparing for a potential interception by Israeli forces, according to activists on board....
Galatasaray claimed a 1-0 win over English side Liverpool in the second round of the UEFA Champions League....
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration is nearing a deal with Harvard University to resolve a months-long standoff....
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration is nearing a deal with Harvard University to resolve a months-long standoff.
At least five people have died following a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the Philippines on Tuesday, authorities report.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a missile strike on the Dutch-flagged cargo vessel Minervagracht, saying the attack was carried out on Monday outside the usual Red Sea theatre of their operations.
A flotilla of ships heading towards the Gaza Strip is preparing for a potential interception by Israeli forces, according to activists on board.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
Video from the USGS (United States Geological Survey) showed on Friday (19 September) the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii erupting and spewing lava.
At least eight people have died and more than 90 others were injured following a catastrophic gas tanker explosion on a major highway in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on 13 September with no tsunami threat, coming just weeks after the region endured a devastating 8.8-magnitude quake — the strongest since 1952.
US President Donald Trump, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, unveiled a 20-point peace plan on September 29, 2025, aiming to end the Gaza conflict. The proposal addresses key geopolitical, humanitarian, and security issues, offering a pathway to peace.
The second round of the UEFA Champions League group stage began today, with nine matches scheduled, two of which have already concluded.
The U.S. federal government could face a shutdown if Congress fails to pass a budget bill before the end of fiscal year 2025 on Wednesday. A shutdown would force the suspension of all non-essential federal activities.
At least five people have died following a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the Philippines on Tuesday, authorities report.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a missile strike on the Dutch-flagged cargo vessel Minervagracht, saying the attack was carried out on Monday outside the usual Red Sea theatre of their operations.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment