The maiden voyage of Leo XIV, the first American pontiff in history, has taken him to the heart of Christianity.

Pope Leo XIV waves at people as he arrives to visit the tomb of Saint Charbel Makhlouf at the Monastery of Saint Maron, during his first apostolic journey, in Annaya, Lebanon December 1, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir BEIRUT,

Pope Leo shared his hope for peace in the Middle East during his speech in Beirut’s Martyrs’ Square on Monday (December 1).

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Beirut on Sunday after a visit to Turkey that began last week. He challenged Lebanon’s political leaders to be true peacemakers and put their differences aside as he sought to give the country’s long-suffering people a message of hope and bolster a crucial Christian community in the Middle East.

Pope Leo XIV visits holy sites in Lebanon on Monday, drawing Christians and Muslims. He aims to recognize the country's religious pluralism and encourage Christians not to abandon the region. Over

Pope Leo XIV has doubled down on the Holy See’s insistence on a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Pope Leo XIV, arriving in Lebanon, has challenged the nation's political leaders to be true peacemakers and put their differences aside at a fraught moment for the country.

Pope Leo XIV challenged Lebanon’s political leaders on Sunday to be true peacemakers and put their differences aside, as he sought to give Lebanon’s long-suffering people a message of hope and bolster a crucial Christian community in the Middle East.