Latest news with #PapalVisit
The Independent
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Pope Leo's first international trip could be to Lebanon, cardinal says
Pope Leo XIV is planning to visit Lebanon this year on his first foreign visit, the country's Catholic cardinal said, a trip that would give history's first American pope a chance to speak in broad terms about peace in the Middle East and the plight of Christians there. A visit to Lebanon could be the second leg of a planned visit to Turkey at the end of November to commemorate an important anniversary with the Orthodox Church. Cardinal Béchara Boutros Raï, the patriarch of the Lebanese Maronite faithful, told the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV that Leo 'will visit Lebanon.' 'It's unclear to be honest when he will visit, but he will visit anytime from now until December,' the cardinal said when asked about a possible visit. 'There needs to be an agreement from the Vatican on when the visit will happen. But there are preparations for the visit, but it's unclear until the Vatican's announcement.' Leo, like his predecessor Pope Francis, has consistently called for peace and dialogue in the Middle East, especially as Israel's offensive rages on in Gaza. The last pope to visit Lebanon was Pope Benedict XVI in September 2012 on what was the last foreign trip of his papacy. A Vatican spokesperson on Thursday declined to confirm or deny a trip by Leo. But word of papal trips usually originates with the local church that will host the pope. Pope Francis, who died on April 21, had long hoped to visit Lebanon, but the country's political and economic instability prevented a visit during his lifetime. The Mediterranean nation of around 6 million, including more than 1 million Syrian and Palestinian refugees, has the largest percentage of Christians in the Middle East and is the only Arab country with a Christian head of state. However, the Vatican fears the country's instability has been particularly dangerous for the continued presence of its Christian community, a bulwark for the church in the Mideast. Lebanon is currently struggling to recover after years of economic crisis and a bruising war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah that ended with a U.S. and France-brokered ceasefire in November. Formation of a new, reformist government in November ended a two-year political vacuum and brought hopes of recovery but the situation remains tense. Israel has continued to occupy five strategic points on the Lebanese side of the border and carry out near-daily airstrikes that it says aim to stop Hezbollah from regrouping. Hezbollah is under increasing domestic and international pressure to give up its remaining arsenal but has refused to do so until Israel withdraws and halts its strikes. There are fears of civil conflict if Lebanese authorities attempt to forcibly disarm the group. About one-third of Lebanon's population is believed to be Christian, though there is no official number since there hasn't been an official census since 1932. The Maronites are the largest and most powerful sect and, by convention, Lebanon's president is always a Maronite Christian. Leo is already expected to travel to Turkey at the end of November to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, Christianity's first ecumenical council. It was a trip Francis had intended to make in May. The Vatican has not confirmed the Turkey trip, but Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Istanbul-based spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians and the host of the anniversary commemoration, has said Leo told him he wants to go. ___ Chehayeb reported from Beirut, Lebanon. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
BBC News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Pope Leo XIV to travel to Lebanon in likely first international trip
Pope Leo XIV is preparing to travel to Lebanon later this year, in what could be his first journey abroad since being elected head of the Catholic Church in Paul Sayah, deputy to Lebanon's highest-ranking Catholic leader, told the BBC the Vatican was "studying" the trip but that the church was still waiting for official visit would mark a significant moment for the first American Pope, who has repeatedly urged peace in the Middle East and interfaith co-existence."Lebanon is a multicultural, multi-religious country and is a place of dialogue," Bishop Sayah said. "It's one of the rare environments where Muslims and Christians are living together and respecting each other... so it sends a message to the region."There has been speculation over Leo's first international destination, as early papal trips often define the tone of a late Pope Francis's first major journey outside Rome, to the Italian island of Lampedusa in 2013, set the stage for his focus on migration and marginalised recent decades, overseas travel has become central to the papacy, allowing popes to connect with Catholics worldwide, spread their message and engage in his 12 years as pontiff, Francis visited 68 countries on 47 foreign trips, often choosing destinations on the world's margins, which he described as the Church's "peripheries".Lebanon, home to more than two million Catholics and known for its religious diversity, has long carried symbolic weight for the Church. A papal stop there would also place Leo near the war in Gaza and the wider Israel-Palestine conflict."Everybody is talking to Israel but Israel doesn't listen. Netanyahu doesn't seem to listen a lot, but the more [leaders speak], the better," Bishop Sayah said. "If the Pope adds his voice and concern, I think it's likely to have some impact."Pope Leo has already drawn attention to outreach efforts with other of his first meetings after his election was with an interreligious delegation, where he praised the "Jewish roots of Christianity" and honored the "growing commitment to dialogue and fraternity" between Catholics and Muslims. He has repeatedly urged Christians, Jews, and Muslims to "say no to war and yes to peace".If the trip goes ahead, it would follow visits by John Paul II and Benedict XVI, both remembered for messages of peace and religious this month, Pope Leo also marked the fifth anniversary of the Beirut port explosion, which killed 200 people and caused billions in damage."Beloved and suffering Lebanon remains at the centre of our prayers," he said.
UAE Moments
21 hours ago
- Politics
- UAE Moments
Pope Leo is Expected to Visit Lebanon This Year
Pope Leo XIV, elected in May as the first American pontiff following the passing of Pope Francis, has yet to undertake his first international journey. Patriarch Bechara Rai, head of Lebanon's Maronite Church, announced that the Holy Father is expected to visit Lebanon 'by December,' and preparations are already underway for what would be his inaugural foreign trip. The announcement comes amid discussions that the visit may overlap with commemorations in Türkiye marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, historically significant for shaping Christian doctrine. While Türkiye remains a potential destination, including ceremonies in Iznik late in the year, it's not yet clear whether Pope Leo's Lebanon visit will be combined with the Turkish itinerary. Lebanon, home to over two million Catholics, holds a special place in recent papal plans. Pope Francis had intended to visit the country but never did so, reportedly due to health concerns, making this potential mission by Pope Leo all the more significant for the Lebanese faithful. The pending visit reflects the modern papacy's practice of engaging global communities through international travel. It aligns with broader diplomatic and pastoral objectives, providing spiritual solidarity while also engaging in interfaith and regional dialogue
LBCI
a day ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Pope Leo XIV to visit Lebanon in December, says Patriarch al-Rahi
Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi revealed in an interview with Al Arabiya that Pope Leo XIV will visit Lebanon in December, noting that the Vatican is expected to announce the exact date soon.
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Pope Leo expected to visit Lebanon this year
Pope Leo XIV is expected to visit Lebanon this year in what could be his first foreign trip as pontiff. Patriarch Bechara Rai, the head of Lebanon's Maronite Church, said Pope Leo will travel to Lebanon "by December". He told Al Arabiya that "preparations are already underway" for the visit. Pope Leo, the first pontiff from the US, was elected in May after the death of Pope Francis, and has yet to make a papal visit abroad. In public remarks he has called for peace in the Middle East and a ceasefire in Gaza after the strip's only Catholic church was bombed by Israel, killing three people.
