Pope Leo XIV will pray at the resting place of Saint Charbel, a revered Maronite monk whose legacy of miracles unites Christians and Muslims in a nation facing crisis.
ANNAYA, Lebanon – Nestled in the serene hills of north Lebanon, the Saint Maron Monastery is a hive of quiet devotion and frantic preparation. With Pope Leo XIV’s historic visit days away, the spiritual heart of the Saint Charbel cult is readying itself to welcome the pontiff and the thousands of faithful who find solace here.
The pope’s pilgrimage to the tomb on December 1 is a central moment of his trip to Lebanon, underscoring the profound resonance of Saint Charbel, a 19th-century hermit canonized in 1977. For many, like 69-year-old Charbel Matar, the saint is a personal guardian. “I almost died when I was five,” Matar shared. “He performed a miracle and saved me from death.”
The saint’s appeal transcends sectarian lines in a country often divided by them. His image is a common sight nationwide, and his tomb is a destination for Muslims and Christians alike, all seeking blessings, healing, or comfort.
“He is the face of Lebanon,” said pilgrim Randa Saliba, 60. Her sentiment is echoed by the monastery’s vice rector, Tannous Nehme, who notes the site draws an estimated three million visitors from across the globe and all faiths each year.
The papal visit casts a spotlight on this unique centre of interfaith devotion at a critical time for Lebanon. The nation remains gripped by a severe economic crisis and the aftermath of conflict, making the pope’s journey a symbol of hope and solidarity.
For pilgrims like Claude Issa, the pontiff’s presence is a spiritual uplift. “The pope’s visit will revitalize people and make them feel there is still hope in Lebanon,” she said.
As workers put the final touches on the road to the monastery, the enduring story of Saint Charbel and the imminent arrival of Pope Leo XIV are weaving a new chapter of faith for a people in need of a miracle.
