Pope Leo XIV is expected to visit Lebanon later this year, in what would mark his first foreign trip since becoming pope and a significant opportunity to address the ongoing challenges in the Middle East, including the situation of Christian communities in the region, news agency AP reported.Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai, head of the Lebanese Maronite Church, told Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV that the pope “will visit Lebanon,” though no exact dates have been finalised. “There needs to be an agreement from the Vatican on when the visit will happen. But there are preparations for the visit,” Rai said, adding it could take place “anytime from now until December,” as quoted by the agency.A Vatican spokesperson declined to confirm or deny the plans. However, such visits are usually first hinted at by local church leaders in coordination with the Vatican.The trip could coincide with Pope Leo’s expected visit to Turkiye in late November for the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. That visit, not yet officially confirmed by the Vatican, was also planned by his predecessor Pope Francis. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has stated that Leo expressed interest in attending the event.Pope Leo, the first American pope in history, has repeatedly echoed calls for dialogue and peace in the Middle East, especially as the conflict in Gaza continues. A trip to Lebanon would also highlight the Vatican’s concern over the declining Christian presence in the region.The last papal visit to Lebanon was by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. Pope Francis had hoped to visit the country but was unable to due to its prolonged political and economic crises.Lebanon, which has the highest proportion of Christians in the Arab world and is the only Arab country with a Christian head of state, remains politically fragile. The country recently emerged from a two-year leadership vacuum with the formation of a new government. However, tensions continue along its southern border with Israel, which has carried out regular airstrikes and still occupies five strategic positions inside Lebanese territory.Hezbollah, a key political and armed force in Lebanon, remains under pressure to disarm but has resisted calls to do so unless Israel withdraws and halts military operations.Rough estimates suggest Christians make up about one-third of Lebanon’s population, with the Maronite Church being the most influential. By long-standing agreement, Lebanon’s president is always a Maronite Christian.
