Harissa. 1 December 2025. 11:30 a.m. The Pope is captivated by the atmosphere and beauty of the Shrine, which he does not hide even when he greets those present by saying ‘Good morning’ in Arabic:
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01 December 2025
Parent Category: Iniziative (EN) -
Category: Maison de la Paix (EN)
A delegation from the "United States of the World" and the "Fondazione Mediterraneo" participates in Pope Leone XIV's visit to this monastery, where the tomb of Saint Charbel Maklouf is located.
Heavy rain does not prevent thousands of people from crowding the roadsides and the area in front of the Monastery of Saint Maroun: a little girl in her mother's arms, holding an image of Saint Charbel in her small hands, is a touching sight.
Shouts and cries spread across the square in front of the monastery upon the Pope's arrival. He is immediately welcomed by Father Abbot Hady Mahfouz, Superior General of the Lebanese Maronite Order.
The Holy Father quickly visits the monastery and heads to the caves where the tomb of Saint Charbel is located.
After the Pope's prayer before the tomb of the holy hermit, the Father Abbot gives a greeting, saying, among other things:
"Grace upon grace: the grace of Saint Charbel, whose intercession continues to enlighten souls and spread the wonders of Heaven throughout the world; the grace of the presence of the Pope who has come to this sanctuary of silence and light to pray before the tomb of this humble hermit who was ardent with love. I welcome His Holiness and ask him to receive, on behalf of the whole Order, the assurance of our unconditional obedience, our constant prayers and our most devoted filial sentiments."
Pope Leone XIV addresses those present – including Cardinal Pietro Parolin in the front row – saying:
“Dear brothers and sisters! I thank the Superior General for his words and for welcoming us to this beautiful Monastery of Annaya. The nature surrounding this house of prayer also attracts us with its austere beauty. I give thanks to God for allowing me to come as a pilgrim to the tomb of Saint Charbel. My predecessors – I think especially of Saint Paul VI, who beatified and canonised him – would have greatly desired this."
The Pope uses a sober and essential style in his speech. It is precisely this difference that brings out the substance. The Holy Father does not present Charbel as a postcard miracle worker, but shows him as a teacher of what our world rejects: prayer, silence, modesty, poverty. Four words that cut like a living stone and speak to a Church often distracted by the superfluous.
"This visit fits into history like a stone that fits perfectly,’ says Secretary-General Michele Capasso, a devotee of Saint Charbel, "but Lebanon remains a fragile crossroads, and for this very reason it is the place where faith shows its most authentic face. Here, the Pope is not engaging in diplomacy but simply reminding the world that peace does not come from meetings but from reconciled hearts. This place gives us a clear image today: holiness does not go out of fashion and continues to shine when everything else falters. And if we want the flame lit by this stage not to go out, it is worth doing what the Pope suggested without proclamation: returning to prayer, silence and evangelical poverty. These are the only paths that truly lead to the light."
The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, visited the ruins of Pompeii: accompanied by his daughter Laura, he took a private tour of the archaeological site this morning, guided by director Gabriel Zuchtriegel. During the visit, he met and shook hands with Maurizio Patriciello.
The Pope arrived punctually shortly after 9 a.m. at the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, one of the most symbolic places in Istanbul, staying for about fifteen minutes. A visit experienced "with deep respect for the place and the faith of those who gather there in prayer". Accompanying the pontiff were the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ersoy, the Mufti of Istanbul Tuncel, Imam Fatih Kaya and some members of the "United States of the World". 
The first meeting with Pope Leone XIV takes place early in the morning in the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. We take our places in the right aisle of the Catholic cathedral, seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of Istanbul.