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While the faithful in Lebanon are excited enough to line some 25 miles of the Pope's route with people (even in pouring rain), the atmosphere for Leo's first stop this morning, December 1, was also quite prayerful. The Pope visited the tomb of one of Lebanon's most beloved saints: Charbel.
He is the first pope to make a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Charbel Makhlouf at the Monastery of St. Maroun in Annaya, where this 19th-century hermit, lived.
Saint Charbel (1828-1898), a hermit monk of the Maronite Church who was beatified in 1965 and canonized by Paul VI in 1977, is at the center of many extraordinary phenomena and miracles that make him a central figure of popular piety in Lebanon and beyond. His tomb is visited every year by thousands of faithful from all over the world, especially on the 22nd of each month.
Leo XIV explained that his predecessors “would have very much liked” to come to this shrine, especially St. Paul VI, who beatified and canonized this monk during the painful context of the Lebanese civil war.
Speaking in French, the Holy Father reflected before the cedar wood tomb about what the saint still teaches us today.
Dear friends, what does Saint Charbel teach us today? What is the legacy of this man who wrote nothing, who lived a hidden and silent life, yet whose fame spread throughout the world?
I would like to offer the following summary of his legacy. The Holy Spirit formed him so that he could teach those who live without God how to pray, those who live immersed in noise how to be silent, those who live ostentatiously how to be modest, and those who seek riches how to be poor. All of these behaviors are counter-cultural, yet, that is precisely why they attract us, just like fresh, pure water draws those walking in the desert.
The Holy Father entrusted to St. Charbel a three-fold intention: for the Church, for Lebanon, and for the world.
Regarding the Church, he specifically prayed for families.
Sisters and brothers, today we entrust to Saint Charbel’s intercession the needs of the Church, Lebanon and the world. For the Church, we ask for communion and unity, beginning with families who are small domestic churches, then parish and diocesan communities, and finally for the universal Church. Communion and unity. For the world, we ask for peace. We especially implore it for Lebanon and for the entire Levant. But we know well – and the saints remind us – that there is no peace without conversion of hearts. May Saint Charbel, therefore, help us to turn to God and ask for the gift of conversion for all of us.
After giving the blessing, Leo XIV visited the small museum dedicated to the holy hermit. As the sun peeked out toward the end of the visit, the Pope took the time to greet the faithful gathered in the courtyard of the sanctuary and to take a group photo with the monks of the community.
