Pope Francis

Pope Leo XIV Welcomed with Fervor at Harissa

Pope Leo XIV arrives at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, warmly greeted by bishops, priests, religious men and women, and pastoral workers, as the faithful welcome him with great fervor.

Faithful and Clergy Gather in Harissa Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s Arrival

Bishops, priests, religious members, and representatives from pastoral ministries are assembling at the Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Harissa to welcome Pope Leo XIV, creating an atmosphere of devotion and anticipation as the pope prepares to address the community and share his message of peace and faith.

Day Two of the Pope’s Visit: Experience Every Moment Live

Monday, December 1st: a historic day in Lebanon. The Pope continues his visit, and This is Beirut takes you to the heart of every moment. At 9:45 a.m., he will be in Annaya, following in the footsteps of Saint Charbel. Then he will visit the Harissa Basilica, overlooking the Bay of Jounieh, to witness the devotion of the faithful. Later in the ...

At the Airport, a Wave of Emotion After the Arrival of Pope Leo XIV

This is Beirut spoke with children Celine Rai and Tony Beainy, who welcomed Pope Leo XIV upon his arrival at the Beirut airport, offering him bread, salt, and flowers. Rita Abi Hanna, the representative of the Guides du Liban to APECL Jeune (the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon), also shared her thoughts with This is Beirut.

Lebanon Awaits Pope Leo XIV

Lebanon is preparing to receive Pope Leo XIV in just a few hours. The “papamobile” has been driven to the presidential palace in Baabda.

Lebanon and the Vatican: A Centuries-Old Bond

Lebanon and the Vatican share a relationship that predates modern diplomacy by nearly a millennium. One is a Mediterranean nation long defined by religious diversity; the other, the global center of the Catholic Church. Yet together, these two small states have forged a partnership with influence far beyond their size spiritually, culturally, and ...

81 Journalists Travel with Pope Leo XIV on Historic Journey

81 international journalists are traveling with Pope Leo XIV on his apostolic journey from Turkey to Lebanon. The group includes cameramen and photographers representing around twenty media outlets from 15 countries. Major American networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and CNN are part of the pool, highlighting the global attention given to this ...

Leo XIV: Leading the Church with Simplicity

When white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel on May 8, 2025, the world was introduced to Robert Francis Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV. At 69, the Chicago-born cleric became the first pope from the United States, a choice that surprised Vatican observers. Considered an unlikely candidate due to his nationality, Prevost was nonetheless ...

Disarmament and Elections on the Agenda in Bkerkeh

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Friday declared that a “decision has been made” to confiscate illegal weapons across the country, affirming that the Lebanese Army has already presented a plan for implementation. “There will be no reversal of the decision to confiscate weapons,” Salam said following a meeting with Maronite Patriarch Beshara ...