Pope Leo XIV will take up his first international trip after being elected as the head of the Catholic Church in May this year. The new Pope is planning to travel to Lebanon later in the year. Archbishop Paul Sayah, the deputy to Lebanon’s highest-ranking Catholic leader, told international media that the Vatican was “studying” the trip, but the Church is still waiting for the official dates of the tour. This tour will be important for the first American Pope, who has repeatedly supported peace in the Middle East and the coexistence of interfaith communities.

“Lebanon is a multicultural, multireligious country and is a place of dialogue… It’s one of the rare environments where Muslims and Christians are living together and respecting each other… So it sends a message to the region,” said Bishop Sayah.

Lebanon is home to more than 2 million Catholics and has long been a symbol of the Roman Church. Known for its religious diversity, Lebanon is situated in the Middle East, where the current conflict between Christians and Muslims is heightening. A papal visit would place Lebanon, geographically near the war in Gaza and the wider Israel–Palestine conflict, in the focus.

“Everybody is talking to Israel, but Israel doesn’t listen. Netanyahu doesn’t seem to listen a lot, but the more the better… If the Pope adds his voice and concern, I think it’s likely to have some impact,” said Bishop Sayah.

In one of his first meetings after being elected as the new Pope of the Roman Church, Pope Leo praised the Jewish roots of Christianity and honored the “growing commitment to dialogue and fraternity” between Catholics and Muslims. He has time and again urged Christians, Jews, and Muslims to say no to war and yes to peace.

Late Pope Francis’s Visits

The late Pope Francis’ first major journey abroad was to the Italian island of Lampedusa in 2013, which set the stage for the Christian head’s focus on migration and marginalized communities. Just like this visit, overseas travel by the Catholic head has become central to the Papacy, allowing the Pope to connect with Catholics worldwide and spread the message while engaging in global diplomacy. During his 12 years as pontiff, Francis visited 68 countries on 47 foreign tours. He carefully chose destinations on the world’s margins — the “peripheries,” as described by the Church.

The trip to Lebanon by Pope Leo will follow visits by John Paul II and Benedict XVI, both propagating the message of peace and religious coexistence.

Earlier this month, Leo also marked the sixth anniversary of the Beirut Port explosion that killed 200 people and caused billions in damage.