Pope Leo XIV embarked on a meaningful journey through Lebanon’s sacred sites on Monday, aiming to highlight the nation’s rich tapestry of religious diversity. His visit serves as a poignant reminder to Christians of the importance of maintaining their presence in the region, while also acknowledging Lebanon’s unique role as a crossroads of faith for both Christians and Muslims.

In recent years, the Middle East has witnessed a significant exodus of Christians, driven away by persistent conflicts and the rise of extremist groups. Thousands have left their homelands, seeking safety and stability elsewhere.

Arriving in Beirut on Sunday, fresh from his earlier visit to Turkey that commenced on November 27, Pope Leo urged Lebanon’s leaders to foster peace and set aside their differences. His message aimed to instill hope among Lebanon’s people and offer support to the Christian community, which remains a vital part of the Middle Eastern cultural and religious landscape.

Lebanon, a nation where Muslims form the majority and Christians make up roughly one-third of the population, holds significant importance for the Vatican. It stands as a stronghold for Christianity in a predominantly Muslim region.

Despite facing numerous challenges over the years, Lebanon’s Christians continue to enjoy religious freedom and wield considerable political clout. Since gaining independence from France in 1943, the country has maintained a unique power-sharing arrangement: the presidency is held by a Maronite Christian, the parliament speaker is a Shiite Muslim, and the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim.

This makes Lebanon the only Arab country with a Christian head of state.

Leo visits the Tomb of St. Charbel Makhlouf and the Shrine of of Our Lady of Lebanon on Monday, both north of the capital. The sites draw large numbers of Christian and Muslim visitors and pilgrims.

He also is set to hold an interreligious meeting with leaders of other sects in central Beirut and meet young groups at the Maronite patriarchate.

Here is the latest:

Leo opens day in Lebanon

Pope Leo XIV is opening his first full day in Lebanon with a visit to the tomb of a saint revered among Christians and Muslims throughout the region.

Every year, tens of thousands of pilgrims visit the monastery of St. Maroun in Annaya to pray at the tomb of St. Charbel Makluf, a Lebanese Maronite hermit who lived from 1828 to 1898. He is known today for many alleged miraculous healings that have occurred after people prayed for his intercession.

Leo’s visit to the tomb, the first by a pope, opens a busy day.

History’s first American pope will meet with Catholic priests and nuns at a shrine in Harissa and then preside over an interfaith gathering with some of Lebanon’s Muslim leaders in Beirut.

He will end the day in Bkerke at a rally for Lebanese young people. Leo is expected to encourage them to persevere despite Lebanon’s many crises and challenges.

Leo arrived Sunday in Lebanon from Turkey, where he opened his first trip as pope. He wraps up his visit on Tuesday with a prayer at the site of the 2020 Beirut port blast and a Mass on the waterfront.