The Vatican has published the official program of Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic journey to Lebanon, which will take place from November 30 to December 2, 2025, within the framework of the Jubilee of Hope. It will be the first papal visit to the country since 2019 and is expected to become a message of consolation and unity for a people marked by economic crisis, political instability, and the open wounds of the regional conflict.
The Holy Father’s visit is inserted into a symbolic year for the universal Church: the commemoration of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, a milestone in Christian history that defined the Creed and ecclesial identity.
The itinerary is part of a broader tour that the Holy Father will undertake in Turkey and Lebanon, from November 27 to December 2. The Pope will arrive in Beirut on Sunday, November 30, where he will be officially received by civil and religious authorities. From the first moment, his agenda will combine diplomatic and pastoral gestures, with a strong emphasis on interreligious dialogue and accompaniment of the Christian communities in the country.
Visit to the Tomb of Saint Charbel
On the second day of the trip, Pope Leo XIV will visit Annaya to pray before the tomb of Saint Charbel Makhlouf, in a gesture of deep spiritual significance and supplication for the reconciliation of Lebanon. He will then meet with bishops and consecrated persons in Harissa, participate in an ecumenical and interreligious encounter in Martyrs’ Square in Beirut, and conclude the day with a meeting with young people in Bkerké, encouraging them to keep hope alive.
On the last day of the trip, Pope Leo XIV will visit the De la Croix Hospital in Jal el Dib, where he will meet with the sick and healthcare personnel. He will then pray at the port of Beirut, remembering the victims of the 2020 explosion, and in the afternoon celebrate a massive Mass at the Beirut Waterfront. The day will conclude with the farewell ceremony at the international airport, before his return to Rome.
The Meaning of the Logo and the Motto
The logo represents the Holy Father with his right hand raised in a sign of blessing, accompanied by a dove that symbolizes peace, and a cedar that evokes Lebanon and its tradition of faith. To the right of the ensemble appears the Anchor-Cross of the 2025 Jubilee, a symbol of hope founded in Christ.
These visual elements were chosen to convey two great messages: the pastoral blessing of the Pontiff over the visited countries and the role of peace mediation that the Church wishes to assume in the Middle East.
The chosen motto —»Blessed are the peacemakers«— comes from the Gospel of Saint Matthew and expresses the central message of the visit: to console the Lebanese people, renew the hope of Christian communities, and promote dialogue between religions and cultures.
A Journey that Looks to Hope
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon is not just a diplomatic gesture, but a pilgrimage of closeness and solidarity. Since his election, the Pontiff has repeatedly expressed his concern for the situation in the Middle East and, in particular, for the suffering of the Lebanese people.
The Vatican has defined this trip as an opportunity to reaffirm the Church’s commitment to peace, human dignity, and dialogue between religions, as well as to accompany the Christians of the region, many of whom face poverty, insecurity, and persecution.
In the words of Cardinal Pietro Parolin, «Lebanon is not just a country, it is a message.» And with this trip, Leo XIV intends precisely that: to bring a message of hope to the wounded heart of the Middle East.