In a spiritually and symbolically profound visit to Lebanon, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV journeyed to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, following his prayer at Saint Charbel’s tomb, to celebrate the diversity of the Lebanese Church and its unwavering commitment to service amid the harshest conditions.

The Pope was warmly welcomed, with Patriarch Raphael Bedros XXI describing him as “a living flame of prayer and hope” that illuminates Lebanon. The Patriarch affirmed that Lebanon stands as living proof that coexistence is possible and that love is stronger than division, praising the resilience of the Lebanese people.

The gathering was deeply moving, as the Pope listened to four powerful testimonies that revealed “steadfast hope” in the face of war and poverty:

- Father Yuhanna-Fouad Fahd spoke of serving an “invisible people” who suffer in silence, pleading with the Pope for “a word, a blessing, a sign” for those forgotten.

- Lauren Capobres, a migrant and volunteer, shared how her work became a “mission” and how the Church became a refuge for migrants fleeing the sponsorship system, affirming, “We are not just workers—we are builders and contributors.”

- Sister Dima Chbeib, a school principal in Baalbek, testified to her decision to remain amid war, describing how she chose silence before God and was “ready to meet Him,” declaring: “In the heart of war, I discovered the peace of Christ.”

- Father Charbel Fayad, a prison chaplain, described his mission as “an encounter with the suffering Christ” among “men and women forgotten by society,” affirming: “Mercy is not an idea—it is a face… the face of the prisoner.”

In his address, the Pope emphasized that faith is “an anchor in heaven,” recalling the words of Saint John Paul II: “You are responsible for hope.” He called for solidarity, describing mutual giving as enriching for all. He concluded by inviting those present to be “the fragrance of Christ”—a fragrance that flows from “a generous Lebanese table shared by all, where the food is diverse and all eat in the unity of love.”

The visit concluded with the Pope presenting the “Golden Rose” to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon—an ancient symbol honoring the Virgin Mary. He also blessed the cornerstone of the “City of Peace” project by Télé Lumière and Noursat, embodying his support for peace and hope initiatives in the region.