Pope Leo XIV dedicated the final morning of his three-day visit to Lebanon to the Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross in Jal El-Dib, praising the caregivers who serve there and urging the country not to overlook its most vulnerable people.

Speaking to patients, medical staff, and the Franciscan Sisters of the Cross who run the facility, the Pope said he was moved to be among them and described the hospital as a place where “the presence of Christ can be felt in the suffering, and in those who devote themselves to easing that suffering.” He assured the community of his prayers and thanked them for welcoming him.

The pontiff reflected on the legacy of the hospital’s founder, Father Jacques Haddad, whom he described as an indefatigable servant of charity remembered above all for “a life marked by holiness, expressed through a profound love for the poor and the afflicted.” 

Pope Leo expressed deep gratitude to the sisters, doctors, nurses, and support staff, calling them a living witness to the “compassionate mercy of Christ.” He likened their work to that of the Good Samaritan, tending to the wounded without hesitation. He urged them to persevere in their mission despite the strain, discouragement, and “the difficult circumstances under which you often labor.”

“In moments of exhaustion, remember the good your hands accomplish,” he said, noting that in God’s eyes, their service constitutes a “great and noble work.”

The Pope emphasized that the hospital’s mission stands as a message for Lebanon and for the world: a society cannot claim progress while shutting its eyes to poverty, fragility, and exclusion. He warned against an illusion of wellbeing that ignores those left behind.

“As Christians — as the community that belongs to Jesus — we are called to place the poor and the vulnerable at the center,” he said, describing this as the Gospel’s clear and universal mandate.

Concluding his remarks, Pope Leo reminded patients and caregivers alike that they remain deeply cherished by God.

“He carries you in His hand, accompanies you with love, and shows you His tenderness through those who care for you,” he said, urging them never to forget that they are loved “as His own children.”

🔴 Le pape #LéonXIV arrive à l'hôpital de la Croix, hôpital psychiatrique de référence au Liban et dans toute la région. Il a été fondé par le bienheureux Abouna Yaqoub.

👉 Suivez la visite en direct sur KTO et https://t.co/ruDU7j8Q9Y#PapeAuLiban pic.twitter.com/y3XoqeK2H4

— KTOTV (@KTOTV) December 2, 2025