By mudir 
Fr Brighton Zimba, Mccj
Pope Leo XIV undertook his first Apostolic Journey outside Italy since his election in May 2025 to Türkiye (27-30 December) and Lebanon (30 Nov – 2 December). Our Formative Community in Beirut had the privilege of participating in some of the important encounters with the Holy Father; the first of it being the Meeting with Bishops, Priests, Consecrated Men and Women, and Pastoral Workers. The meeting took place at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, on a mountainous village of Harissa on Monday, 1st December. About 2,700 Religious Men and Women flocked to Harissa from different parishes and dioceses, (Maronite, Syriac, Melkite Greek, Almenian, Chaldean and Latin) representing the rich diversity of the Catholic identity in Lebanon. The Maronite St. Paul’s Basilica in Harissa, which was hosting the meeting, was already full to capacity as early as 8:00am, for the meeting that was slotted for 11:20am. Jubilant chants of “Viva il Papa” filled the Cathedral as the Pope made his way inside. So many were the people trying to reach out to the Holy Father either by a hand or just a closer glimpse. Some were visibly left in tears, delighted by the historic moment, while others stood in awe, almost not believing what they were seeing. Before the address, the Holy Father listened to several testimonies from some of those who had suffered the 2024 war. Touching experiences were shared, including a Philippina migrant from St Joseph’s Parish (Achrafieh), where our scholastics do their Sunday apostolate. Loren, an immigrant herself, has been involved in supporting fellow domestic workers and those displaced by the war. A truly evangelical service, an experience of carrying each other’s burden and trusting in God’s care and love for all. As the Holy Father began his address, the crowd applauded even louder, delighted and surprised by the Arabic ‘Sabah al-Khayr’ greeting from the Pope. A very little salutation indeed, but it carried with it a profound feeling of closeness and affection for the people of Lebanon. The Holy Father’s message was centred on hope; inviting even ecclesial structures to open up to the younger generation, offering them opportunities for future growth. Pope Leo went on to praise the courage of the people who stood firm amidst the difficult moments and encouraged the Church to continue building peace through service, humility and forgiveness. “Love must triumph over hatred” he said, “and unity over division.” He then presented a Golden Rose to the Shrine, the first ever bestowed on Our Lady of Lebanon, inviting all to be a fragrance of Christ (cf. 2 Cor 2:14)
The Holy Father had two more important activities scheduled for the day; an Ecumenical and Interreligious Meeting at the Martyr’s Square in central Beirut, and a meeting with the Young People at the Patriarchate of Antioch in Bkerké. Some of the scholastics braced the tight schedule to participate at the meeting in Bkerké. About 15,000 young people walked miles and endured the rain just to get to the hillside square of the Maronite. It was a joyful and emotional moment for the young people, who after an amazing presentation about their challenging experiences of the recent past, heard the Pope greet them in the same way he did at his first appearance at the balcony in the Vatican, but this time in Arabic: “Assalamu lakum!” The young people exploded in great joy to the sound of the greeting. Once again, the Pope proceeded to deliver a powerful message of hope, encouraging the youth not to be discouraged by the challenges of war, unemployment and shattered dreams. He invited them to be resilient, like the symbolic cedar, with its strong roots firm in the ground, the size of which are same to its own branches, it is said. “Your homeland, Lebanon, will flourish once again,” said the Pope, pointing to several shining examples of the saints who have graced this beautiful land, including the likes of Bl. Yakub El-Haddad, St. Rifqa and St. Charbel.
The climax of it all was the closing Mass at Beirut Waterfront on Tuesday, 2nd December. About 150,000 faithful, of different Catholic and Orthodox rites participated in the Mass. Many Patriarchs, including the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch, Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria, Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak, the Syriac Patriarch of Antioch, Ignatius Joseph III Younan and several others were in attendance. This represents the unique religious identity of Lebanon, rich in its diversity and coming together as the one Church. Many government officials were also in attendance, including the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun. During his homily, delivered in French, the Pope reiterated the theme of his Apostolic Journey, “Blessed are the Peacemakers” – (cf. Mt 5:9), inviting all to be responsible in preserving the beauty and splendor of Lebanon. At the end of the Mass, the Holy Father made an earnest appeal to those who hold political and social authority, “Listen to the cry of your peoples who are calling for peace!” he said.
The Pope’s visit has surely reignited the flame of hope and encouraged many people in Lebanon who have experienced and still are experiencing economic, political and social hardships caused mainly by the famous 2020 port explosion, followed later in 2024 by the escalation of the war between Israel and Hezbollah. The Pope’s message will surely continue to inspire many young and old alike who came out in numbers to listen to his voice; a voice that speaks to our consciences, inviting us to work together in building a future where peace and unity is guaranteed. Surely the Pope has returned to Rome, but the memories in our mind and the affection in our hearts will ever remain fresh, for the love shown to us and our beloved land of the cedars.
Fr Brighton Zimba, Mccj