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At Tomb of Lebanon's Miracle Saint, Faithful Await the Pope

On Nov 30, Pope Leo will arrive in Beirut and visit the shrine of Saint Charbel at Saint Maron Monastery in Annaya, with workers renovating the shrine ahead of his visit.
Saint Charbel, born Youssef Makhlouf, is famed for reported miracles and became a hermit at Saint Maron Monastery, Annaya, with clergy and doctors present in 1950 finding his body well-preserved.
Charbel Matar said `My family and I have great faith in Saint Charbel and always visit him`, while visitors light candles and pray as monastery staff prepare for the papal visit.
The pope will hold a silent prayer at the Beirut port explosion site that killed more than 220 people and injured some 6,500, and Pope Leo XIV will meet senior Lebanese officials including President Joseph Aoun.
Amid recent calamities, the visit carries symbolic importance as Lebanon faces ongoing Israeli strikes despite a November 2024 ceasefire that followed fighting killing 4,000 people, while locals say the visit brings hope and optimism.

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Pope Leo is first pontiff to go to St. Charbel’s tomb; visit is source of ‘great joy’ for Lebanon

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3 months ago

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The New Arab

Lean Left

In a divided Lebanon, Christians find hope through Pope Leo

"Blessed are the peacemakers," read the billboards bearing Pope Leo's portrait that have sprouted across Lebanon. The tiny Mediterranean country spared no pageantry ahead of the pontiff's arrival. The flags of Lebanon and the Holy See fluttered along hastily re-tarmacked roads. The message "Welcome Pope Leo" popped up on millions of people's mobiles when one of the largest network providers changed its display name. And as the Pope's plane lande…

3 months ago·London, United Kingdom

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شبكة الميادين

Left

Pope Leo XIV from Annaya: We pray for peace for Lebanon, entire Levant

Pope Leo XIV visits Saint Charbel’s tomb in Jbeil's Annaya and urges unity, prayer, and renewal, praising Lebanon’s spiritual heritage and role in the Christian world.

3 months ago

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Vatican News

Lean Right

Pope Leo prays at tomb of Saint Charbel Makhlouf

On the second day of his Apostolic Visit to Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV visits the tomb of St. Charbel, saying he taught “prayer to those who live without ...

3 months ago

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France24

Center

At tomb of Lebanon's miracle saint, faithful await the pope

3 months ago·France

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Bangkok Post

Lean Right

At tomb of Lebanese saint, faithful await Pope

ANNAYA, Lebanon - Charbel Matar says a Lebanese saint saved his life when he was a child. Now, he is among pilgrims of all faiths who visit Saint Charbel’s tomb, soon to be graced by Pope Leo XIV.

3 months ago·Bangkok, Thailand

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