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Pope Leo XIV Video Calls Priests on Lebanon’s Frontline: "I Am Close to You"
In a touching display of digital diplomacy and pastoral care, Pope Leo XIV held a surprise video conference on the morning of May 6, with a 13 priests serving in the war-torn regions of southern Lebanon. The call took place during an audience with the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, Archbishop Paolo Borgia, at the Vatican Apostolic Palace.
(Video shows the nuncio delivering aid to Lebanon)
A "Sigh of Hope" Amidst the Ruins
The call connected the Pope directly to parish priests stationed along the Blue Line, the volatile border with Israel. These clergy members have remained with their communities despite relentless shelling and missile fire.
The Pope’s message was simple but profound:
Encouragement: He commended the priests for their tireless service to their congregations.
Support: He assured them that the Holy See is actively monitoring the crisis.
Prayer: He offered his Apostolic Blessing and expressed his fervent hope for an immediate peace.
"It was beautiful," shared Father Toni Elias, parish priest in Rmeish. "The Pope told us he supports us and is praying for us. It was a much-needed sigh of hope and trust."
Concrete Closeness: From the Vatican to the Border
This gesture builds upon the Pope’s deep connection to the "Land of the Cedars." Lebanon was the destination of Pope Leo XIV’s first international trip in December 2025. Since then, the Vatican has maintained a steady humanitarian presence through Archbishop Borgia.
| Action | Impact |
| Direct Communication | The Pope maintains regular contact with civil and religious leaders. |
| Humanitarian Aid | In March, 15 tons of food and basic necessities were distributed today in the South. |
| Physical Presence | Nuncio Borgia continues to travel through bombed-out streets to deliver aid personally. |
The "Mission of St. Paul"
The priests, who had been asked to gather under the group name "Priests of the South," expressed deep gratitude for both the Pope’s call and the Nuncio’s bravery. Father Elias compared Archbishop Borgia’s tireless work in the danger zones to the mission of his patron, Saint Paul, noting that the Nuncio "walks through danger" to bring the Church’s charity to those in destroyed homes.
As the situation in southern Lebanon remains critical, this brief virtual encounter serves as a powerful reminder that the Vatican remains committed to the safety and spiritual fortitude of the Lebanese people.
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