In one of the most emotional moments of his Middle East journey, Pope Leo XIV visited the tomb of Saint Charbel Makhlouf in Lebanon, where he spent several minutes in silent prayer and reflection.

The visit took place at the Monastery of Saint Maron in Annaya, a major pilgrimage destination for Christians from around the world. Pilgrims and clergy gathered in large numbers as the Pope honored Saint Charbel, widely revered for his life of humility, asceticism, and miracles ᴀssociated with healing and spiritual devotion.

During the encounter, Pope Leo XIV described Saint Charbel as “a witness of silence, holiness, and unwavering faith in God.” He prayed especially for peace in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East, entrusting suffering families, displaced people, and persecuted Christians to the saint’s intercession.

The Pontiff also praised Lebanon’s Christian heritage and its long tradition of coexistence among different religious communities. Observers noted that the atmosphere surrounding the visit was deeply spiritual, with many faithful visibly moved as prayers and hymns echoed through the monastery grounds.

Analysts described the pilgrimage to Saint Charbel’s tomb as one of the most sacred and symbolically powerful moments of Pope Leo XIV’s international travels, reinforcing his repeated calls for peace, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal in the region.