The Maronite bishops during their monthly meeting, on Nov. 5, 2025. (Credit: National News Agency)
The Maronite bishops on Wednesday called for addressing the issue of disarming the Palestinian camps without delay and expressed hope that the upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, "will put an end to wars and spread peace" in Lebanon.
At the end of their meeting, the bishops warned against "any delay in addressing the problem of weapons and armed men in the Palestinian camps," especially as most of them have "become a refuge for fugitives wanted by the law, drug gangs and any other illegal activity harmful to Lebanon and its population."
These statements come less than two weeks after the murder of young Lebanese Elio Abou Hanna, shot dead by an armed Palestinian patrol in the Shatila camp.
This killing sparked widespread outrage throughout Lebanon and on social media, all the more so as it comes amid growing calls for the disarmament of all illegal armed groups in the country.
The bishops also said they "await with joy and hope the visit of Pope Leo to Lebanon," hoping that it "will bear fruit and contribute significantly to ending wars and spreading peace in Lebanon, the region and the world."
They also "condemned what the South and other regions of Lebanon suffer daily, namely assassinations and bombings that once again place the country on the brink of war."
The bishops also called on the parties concerned with the cease-fire and the continued implementation of Resolution 1701 to "assume their responsibilities and stop making Lebanon, which is the weak link in the chain of those demanding peace in the country and the region, pay the price for the situation."
Indeed, Israel continues to bomb Lebanon daily despite the truce that came into effect on Nov. 27, 2024, claiming to counter Hezbollah's attempts to rebuild its military capabilities.
