Pope Leo XIV Appeals for Peace and Remembers Catholic Priest Killed in Lebanon - Fr. Pierre - "May the Lord grant that the blood he shed be a seed of peace"
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Pope Leo XIV at the General Audience on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, made an appeal for Lebanon. He particularly recalled the recent killing, by an Israeli bomb (as reported by the Vatican), of Father Pierre El Raii, a Maronite parish priest.
Here is the Full Text Appeal of Pope Leo XIV during the Audience:
Today in Qlayaa, Lebanon, the funeral of Father Pierre El Raii, Maronite parish priest of one of the Christian villages in southern Lebanon, is being celebrated. These villages are once again experiencing the tragedy of war. I am close to all the Lebanese people at this time of grave trial.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING Catholic Priest Killed in Lebanon https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2026/03/breaking-catholic-priest-killed-in.html
In Arabic, “El Raii” means “the shepherd”. Father Pierre was a true shepherd, who always stayed beside his people, with the love and sacrifice of Jesus the Good Shepherd. As soon as he heard that some parishioners had been wounded in a bombing, he rushed to help them without hesitation. May the Lord grant that the blood he shed be a seed of peace for beloved Lebanon.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us continue to pray for peace in Iran and throughout the Middle East, especially for the many civilian victims, including many innocent children. May our prayer be a comfort to those who suffer and a seed of hope for the future.
Today in Qlayaa, Lebanon, the funeral of Father Pierre El Raii, Maronite parish priest of one of the Christian villages in southern Lebanon, is being celebrated. These villages are once again experiencing the tragedy of war. I am close to all the Lebanese people at this time of grave trial.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING Catholic Priest Killed in Lebanon https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2026/03/breaking-catholic-priest-killed-in.html
In Arabic, “El Raii” means “the shepherd”. Father Pierre was a true shepherd, who always stayed beside his people, with the love and sacrifice of Jesus the Good Shepherd. As soon as he heard that some parishioners had been wounded in a bombing, he rushed to help them without hesitation. May the Lord grant that the blood he shed be a seed of peace for beloved Lebanon.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us continue to pray for peace in Iran and throughout the Middle East, especially for the many civilian victims, including many innocent children. May our prayer be a comfort to those who suffer and a seed of hope for the future.
To the Arabic speaking people the pope said:
I greet the Arabic-speaking faithful. The Church is called to be the light of the world and a witness to mercy, so that peace may reign among all men. May the Lord bless you all and always protect you from all evil !
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