A poster depicting Pope Leo XIV is placed along a road ahead of his planned visit to Lebanon, in Hazmieh. (Photo AFP)
Two days before the historic visit of Pope Leo XIV to Lebanon, political messages are multiplying, urging that the event be used as a moment of national unity, peace and hope, despite fears of an Israeli escalation looming over a country struggling to recover from the latest 2023-2024 war between Israel and Hezbollah and several years of crises.
This is particularly echoed in the statements of Kataeb party leader Samy Gemayel, who was received at Bkirki by Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai to discuss preparations and the significance of the papal visit. Gemayel praised "a visit marked by a festive and spiritual atmosphere," affirming that he and his party are "entirely at the disposal of Bkirki" to help ensure its success.
He called on all Lebanese, especially Christians, to "mobilize en masse to welcome the pope along the roads of Annaya, Bkirki and Beirut and not merely follow him on television screens."
According to him, this event is an opportunity to affirm that "Lebanon wants to live in peace, turn the page on wars and wounds, and rebuild a stable country after sixty years of crises." Gemayel emphasized the need to show the world "a people vibrating with life, an active Christian presence and a Lebanon that always carries a message." Refusing to enter into political debates, he simply added: "Anyone who is not concerned about the current situation is naïve."
In the same context, Minister of Education and Higher Learning Rima Karameh wished Pope Leo XIV welcome to a country that makes its diversity a message. She called for a just peace that "saves Lebanon from aggression" and opens the way to a future worthy of its children.
The minister stressed in a statement "the deeply human and symbolic dimension" of the visit. She also recalled that Lebanon remains a unique model of diversity, believing that this richness "can only flourish under the shadow of a strong state, guarantor of justice, equality and dialogue."
She noted that this visit comes at a delicate time for the country's students, many of whom are living "in fear and uncertainty amid an unstable context," and finally invited students to draw from the papal visit "courage and hope to continue learning and celebrating life despite hardships."
MP Ibrahim Kanaan (independent), from Bkirki, was hosted by Rai and underlined the "historic opportunity" represented by the papal visit, in a Lebanon going through a "crucial" phase.
Also calling for unity, he urged Christian parties "not to each play their own tune and turn the situation into an electoral battle," in order to support institutions. "We are facing a difficult situation. The military situation is no secret to anyone: it's getting worse, escalation is underway," he observed, calling to "rally around the state, whatever the differences may be."
