Pope to Religious in Lebanon: Faith Must be a Service and Responsibility

Vatican, Dec 1, 2025: On the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Lebanon, Pope Leo met with bishops, priests, religious men and women, and pastoral workers at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, where he emphasized that coexistence, education, and support for migrants are concrete paths toward peace.

He began by highlighting the significance of the visit’s motto, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” recalling Saint John Paul II’s reminder that the Church in Lebanon holds the duty of upholding hope.

He observed that the testimonies he had just listened to, offered by four individuals, show that these expectations are still being fulfilled in practical ways.

Strength from Lebanon’s spiritual heritage

The Pope then turned to what he described as the foundations of Lebanon’s Christian witness, seen in Saint Charbel’s silent prayer and in the role of the Harissa Shrine as a unifying place for the Lebanese people.

He stressed that perseverance in harsh circumstances often begins in prayer—“the invisible bridge that unites hearts”—and in staying close to Christ, even amid the “sound of weapons” and daily struggles.

Pope Leo also referred to the anchor depicted in the journey’s logo. Citing the late Pope Francis, he said that faith, like an anchor fixed in heaven, provides direction and steadiness.

To build peace, he continued, one must stay focused on that horizon, choosing love and generosity instead of fear and losing hope.

Examples of coexistence and solidarity

The testimonies shared by pastoral workers shaped much of his reflection. He referenced the example of the village of Debbabiyé, described by Father Youhanna—one of the speakers—where Christians and Muslims, Lebanese residents and refugees, continue living together despite bombardments and shortages.

He said that the image of a Syrian coin placed among Lebanese ones in the parish alms box shows how every person has the ability to give and to receive in charity.

Recalling Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Lebanon in 2012, Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed that the Christian response in times of crisis must place forgiveness before revenge, unity before division, and service before domination.

Nevertheless, he noted that many still endure injustice and exploitation, especially those who feel they have no other options.

In this situation, he stressed the need to provide young people with real opportunities, including within Church institutions, so they can find “tangible and viable prospects for growth.”

Migrants, education, and prison ministry

The Pope then referred to the testimony of Loren, an immigrant working to support people displaced by conflict or necessity.

Her story, he said, reflects the severe impact of war on civilians and challenges communities not to remain unmoved. He repeated that migrants who come to the Church should never be made to feel turned away, but welcomed.

He also spoke of Sister Dima, who kept her school open during periods of violence, turning it into a place for education, shelter, and community support.

Education, he said, has long been a priority for the Church in Lebanon and must continue, especially for those in the most difficult situations. “Our first school,” he said, “is the Cross, and our one Teacher is Christ.”

The experience of Father Charbel in prison ministry further illustrated the importance of recognising every person’s dignity. Even in places marked by suffering and failure, the Pope said, the Church is called to perceive the signs of God’s mercy and the potential for renewal.

A call to unity in daily life

Before offering a Golden Rose to the Shrine, the Pope explained that the gesture represents the call to become the “fragrance of Christ” through everyday choices grounded in charity and unity. This “fragrance,” he added, is something shared and attainable, not limited to a select group.

Concluding his address, Pope Leo encouraged the Church in Lebanon to keep promoting peace through firm faith, inclusive communal living, and concrete solidarity, insisting that these are essential pillars for rebuilding trust and hope in the nation’s future.

Courtesy: Vatican News