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Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Visit to Lebanon

The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo XIV will be traveling on an Apostolic Visit to Lebanon, November 30 – December 2, 2025.

Lebanon has a unique and diverse Catholic history. Although the country’s population today is primarily Muslim, the second largest religious group is Christians. There are six Catholic rites that are common within the country: Maronite, Melkite, Armenian, Syriac, Chaldean, and Latin. The most prominent of these rites is the Maronite Catholics.

One the most beloved Saints of this country is St. Charbel Maklouf. This incredible Saint was a 19^th century Lebanese monk and priest. There are an astounding number of miracles attributed to St. Charbel…over 33,000! This has made him one of the most powerful intercessors in the history of the Church.

Lebanon also has a long history of monasticism. There have been many monks and nuns who have devoted their life to prayer, fasting, and solitude with the Lord, living alone in the mountains. Although there have been times of Christian persecution throughout the country’s history, the faith has persevered.

Many Christians within the country still speak Aramaic which is the same language that Our Lord spoke. Aramaic is still used in sacred Maronite liturgy.

Here are three of the most popular Catholic Pilgrimage sites in Lebanon:

• The Qadisha Valley: one the earliest sites of Christian monasticism in the world. It has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Monastery of St. Maron in Annaya: This monastery houses the tomb of St. Charbel. It is estimated that 4 million pilgrims visit this site every year.
• Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa: A 28-foot high statue of Our Lady which was created in France and stands atop an 1,866-foot summit. The shrine was created because of the country’s deep devotion to the Queen of Heaven. Millions of pilgrims visit this site every year, asking for Our Lady’s intercession.

The schedule for Pope Leo’s visit is expected to be filled with visits to key religious and cultural sites, gatherings with faith leaders, and a public Mass in Beirut which is the capital of Lebanon.

Sunday, November 30 – Official Arrival

15:45 – Arrival at Rafic Hariri International Airport – Beirut (official reception ceremony)

16:45 – Visit to the President of the Republic at the Presidential Palace

17:15 – Meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives

17:30 – Meeting with the Prime Minister

18:00 – Meeting with authorities, civil society representatives, and the diplomatic corps (Address by the Holy Father)

Monday, December 1 – Annaya, Harissa, Beirut, Bkerke

09:45 – Visit and prayer at the Shrine of Saint Charbel Makhlouf in the Monastery of Saint Maroun – Annaya

11:20 – Meeting with bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and pastoral workers at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon – Harissa (Address by the Holy Father)

12:30 – Private meeting with Catholic Patriarchs at the Papal Embassy

16:00 – Ecumenical and Interfaith Dialogue Meeting in Martyrs’ Square, Beirut (Address by the Holy Father)

17:45 – Meeting with youth at the Maronite Patriarchate Square – Bkerke (Speech by the Holy Father)

Tuesday, December 2 – Jal el Dib, Beirut, Departure

08:30 – Visit to the medical staff and patients at the Sisters of the Cross Hospital – Jal el Dib

09:30 – Silent prayer at the site of the Beirut port explosion

10:30 – Celebration of the Holy Mass at Beirut Waterfront (Holy Father’s Homily)

12:45 – Official farewell ceremony at Rafic Hariri International Airport – Beirut (Address by the Holy Father)

13:15 – Departure to Rome

16:10 – Arrival at Rome/Fiumicino International Airport

Pope Leo XIV’s trip will be the first papal visit to Lebanon in over a decade, and thousands are expected to attend the public Mass and other major gatherings.

The visit is seen as a message of hope, unity, and support to the Lebanese people during challenging times.

View our Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages