Vatican City, Aug 20 — Pope Leo is preparing for his first international journey as head of the Catholic Church, with Lebanon expected to be the destination by the end of this year.
Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai, Patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church, announced on al-Arabiya television that the visit is planned “by December” and that preparations are already underway. While no specific date has been confirmed, a Lebanese government source familiar with the discussions said talks are ongoing for a visit in late 2025.
Pope Leo, the first U.S.-born pontiff, was elected on May 8 following the death of Pope Francis, who had intended to visit Lebanon but was prevented by health issues. Lebanon is home to more than two million Catholics, including the 3.5 million-strong Maronite community led by Cardinal Rai.
A Vatican spokesperson did not immediately comment on Rai’s announcement, but a Vatican official confirmed that planning is underway. The trip could also be linked to a broader tour including Turkey, where Pope Leo is expected to attend celebrations in late November marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, held in modern-day Iznik.
International travel has become central to papal ministry in recent decades, with popes engaging in diplomacy and outreach to Catholic communities worldwide. Pope Francis made 47 foreign visits to 68 countries during his 12-year papacy, often focusing on marginalized regions he described as the “peripheries.”
Earlier this month, Pope Leo sent a message of solidarity to Lebanon on the fifth anniversary of the Beirut port explosion, which killed more than 200 people and caused extensive damage across the capital
