Saad Hariri: Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon 'evokes 'Lebanon the Message' as described by late Pope John Paul II.'

BEIRUT — Former Prime Minister and leader of the Future Movement, Saad Hariri, wrote on X on Sunday that Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon "evokes 'Lebanon the Message,' as described by the late Pope John Paul II."

"It is historic in every sense of the word, given the importance of the visitor arriving with the banner of peace — something our country, wounded by successive wars, desperately lacks," he said. "We hope that the appearance of the Holy Father will bring good news for Lebanon’s security, stability and peace.”

Hariri was Lebanon's prime minister twice, from 2009 to 2011 and then again from 2016 to 2020. He withdrew from politics and left the country in 2022 after failing to form a government.

The Pope's historic visit to Lebanon comes as fears of a new Israeli war against Hezbollah have increased lately as Israeli officials are threatening to escalate their attacks against the party.