Pope Leo XIV Arrives in Lebanon for Three-Day Visit
Pope Leo XIV, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, arrived in Lebanon on Sunday afternoon, marking the start of his three-day visit to the country. He landed at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport, where his official tour began. Upon arrival, the Pope is scheduled to meet with top Lebanese officials, including the President, the Speaker of Parliament, and the Prime Minister.
The formal welcome ceremony will take place at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, where Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun will greet the Pontiff. Pope Leo XIV will later hold separate meetings with Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati. At the end of the first day, he will meet with government officials, representatives of civil institutions, and members of diplomatic delegations, delivering an official speech.
The second day of the trip will be dedicated to religious ceremonies and meetings with Christian congregations. On the final day, the Pope is expected to visit the Sisters of the Cross hospital in the Jal el-Dib district and the site of the Beirut port explosion, where he will hold a moment of prayerful silence.
The official itinerary will conclude with a public Mass held by the seaside in Beirut, expected to draw thousands of attendees. The Pope will depart Beirut at noon on Tuesday, returning to Rome.
The Pope’s visit has received widespread attention across Lebanese society. Residents of Beirut have displayed images of him alongside other religious leaders, including Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, throughout the city—a gesture highlighting the significance of his visit for interfaith coexistence in Lebanon.
