The Vatican officially announced on Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to undertake his inaugural international journey next month, with significant visits planned for Lebanon and Turkey. This marks his first travel outside Italy as the spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church.
These destinations were carefully chosen, underscoring the American pontiff’s commitment to furthering his persistent calls for peace and robust diplomatic engagement in the Middle East. The visits also highlight his deep concern for the welfare and presence of Christian communities residing in the region.
According to the Vatican’s statement, Pope Leo XIV will be in Lebanon from November 30 to December 2, following his visit to Turkey. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni clarified that the full details of the Pope’s itinerary for both nations would be disclosed at a later, appropriate time.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, a Maronite Christian and former army general, extended an invitation to Pope Leo XIV during their meeting at the Vatican in June. During their discussion, both leaders emphasized the urgent and critical need to promote peace and stability across the entire Middle East, as stated in a Vatican communiqué.
While Lebanon is predominantly Muslim, it is home to a rich tapestry of 18 officially recognized religious groups. Notably, it hosts the largest proportion of Christians in the Middle East, with 12 distinct denominations among its approximately six million residents, a figure that includes about two million Syrian refugees.
The Maronite Church stands as the most influential and largest Christian denomination in Lebanon. A long-standing constitutional convention dictates that the nation’s president must always be a Maronite.
From the outset of his papacy, Pope Leo XIV has consistently highlighted peace and interfaith dialogue as core themes in his addresses and audiences with the faithful. He has further committed to vigorously advocating for the spiritual heritage and ancient traditions of the Eastern Rite churches—Catholic communities across the Middle East and Eastern Europe that have endured immense challenges through decades of persecution and conflict.
The last pontiff to visit Lebanon was Benedict XVI, in 2012. His successor, Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, had frequently expressed his desire to visit the country but ultimately never had the opportunity.
Just this past August, Pope Leo XIV conveyed his profound solidarity with “beloved and suffering Lebanon” on the anniversary of the devastating 2020 port explosion. This tragic event claimed the lives of over 190 individuals, injured 6,000, and inflicted billions of dollars in damages.