{"id":30542,"date":"2025-12-01T10:07:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T09:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorecatholic.nl\/nieuws\/pope-leo-prays-at-tomb-of-saint-charbel-makhlouf\/"},"modified":"2025-12-01T10:07:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T09:07:00","slug":"pope-leo-prays-at-tomb-of-saint-charbel-makhlouf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explorecatholic.nl\/en\/news\/pope-leo-prays-at-tomb-of-saint-charbel-makhlouf\/","title":{"rendered":"Pope Leo prays at tomb of Saint Charbel Makhlouf"},"content":{"rendered":"

On the second day of his Apostolic Visit to Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV visits the tomb of St. Charbel, saying he taught \u201cprayer to those who live without God, silence to those who live amid noise … and poverty to those who pursue riches.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Vatican News<\/b><\/p>\n

Every year, thousands of pilgrims, Christians and Muslims alike, travel to Annaya, Lebanon to pray at the tomb of Saint Charbel Makhlouf.<\/p>\n

This morning,\u00a0December 1, Pope Leo XIV was among them.<\/p>\n

At the main entrance to the Monastery of St. Maroun, which houses the tomb, the Pope was greeted by the monastery’s superior and the Superior General of the Lebanese Maronite Order, as well as Lebanon’s President and First Lady.<\/p>\n

The Pope then prayed in silence before St. Charbel\u2019s tomb, before a welcome speech was given by the Superior General, Abbot Mahfouz Hady.<\/p>\n

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\"Pope <\/picture> <\/figure>\n

Pope Leo delivers his speech at the tomb of St Charbel \u00a0 (@Vatican Media) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

In his own address<\/a><\/u><\/b>, delivered in French, the Pope reflected on St. Charbel\u2014\u201cwho lived hidden and silent, yet whose fame spread throughout the world\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Pope said the hermit had been \u201cshaped by the Holy Spirit\u201d to teach \u201cprayer to those who live without God, silence to those who live amid noise, modesty to those who live for appearances, and poverty to those who pursue riches.\u201d<\/p>\n

A call for peace<\/h2>\n

In a country which since 2019 has been mired in a severe crisis\u2014currency collapse, widespread poverty, failing public services, the 2020 Beirut port explosion, and ongoing conflict with Israel\u2014the Pope brought a message of hope and peace.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe ask for peace,\u201d he said. \u201cWe implore it especially for Lebanon and for the whole Levant. But we know\u2014and the saints remind us\u2014that there is no peace without the conversion of hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pope Leo XIV thus entrusted the needs of the Church, Lebanon, and the world to Saint Charbel\u2019s intercession.<\/p>\n

A recitation of a prayer to Saint Charbel and a papal blessing brought an end to the ceremony, which was attended by Lebanon\u2019s President, Joseph Aoun, and his wife.<\/p>\n

A gift from the Pope<\/h2>\n

Pope Leo then presented the monastery with a handcrafted silver-bronze votive lamp.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn offering this lamp,\u201d the Pope said, \u201cI entrust Lebanon and its people to the protection of Saint Charbel, that they may always walk in the light of Christ. Let us thank God for the gift of Saint Charbel! And thank you for preserving his memory. Walk in the light of the Lord!\u201d<\/p>\n

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