Pope Leo XIV Makes Surprise Video Call to Priests in Southern Lebanon Amid Escalating Tensions

Pope Leo XIV Makes Surprise Video Call to Priests in Southern Lebanon Amid Escalating Tensions
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Pope Leo XIV conducted a surprise video call on Wednesday with 13 Catholic and Maronite priests serving in southern Lebanon, offering prayers, encouragement, and messages of peace as the region faces heightened tensions and intermittent clashes near the border with Israel.

The call, made from Rome’s Apostolic Palace, came during a morning online meeting that the priests had believed would only include the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, Archbishop Paolo Borgia. Instead, the Pope appeared on screen, speaking in French and expressing his solidarity and spiritual closeness to clergy remaining in their communities despite the threats posed by ongoing instability.

The priests, who serve in villages and towns such as Rmeish, Ain Ebel, Debel, and Marjayoun, described the unexpected interaction as uplifting and a source of hope amid fear and uncertainty.

Vatican News reported that Pope Leo reiterated his prayers for peace and security for the people of Lebanon, noting the Church’s ongoing pastoral concern for communities affected by conflict. The outreach underscores the Vatican’s continuing engagement with frontline religious leaders in regions affected by violence.

The video call occurs against a backdrop of ongoing tension in southern Lebanon, where intermittent clashes have followed ceasefire agreements and incidents involving attacks on religious figures and sites.