Preparations for Pope Leo XIV’s historic visit to Lebanon have entered their final stage, with national and technical arrangements nearing completion ahead of the three-day papal visit set for November 30 to December 2.

According to Annahar, First Lady Naamat Aoun is personally overseeing all preparations through the National Committee she chairs. She is working in close coordination with the Church Committee, headed by Bishop Michel Aoun, the Maronite Bishop of Byblos and president of the Executive Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon.

Baabda Palace to Host the First Stop

The Pope’s first stop after landing at Beirut’s airport will be the Presidential Palace in Baabda, where he will be received by President Joseph Aoun and a delegation of Lebanese political, religious, and public figures.

Preparations at the Presidential Palace are underway to ensure a seamless reception, from finalizing the guest list of political, diplomatic, religious, and media representatives to overseeing the smallest ceremonial details. The National Committee is handling logistical and security arrangements, while the Church Committee is managing the papal itinerary in coordination with the Apostolic Nunciature in Lebanon, which is supervising the overall framework of the visit.

The Pope’s visit will carry both national and spiritual significance, beginning with the official reception in Baabda and concluding with a public Mass on Beirut’s seafront. One of the most moving moments is expected to be a silent prayer at the Beirut port; a site that has become a national symbol of both tragedy and resilience following the 2020 explosion.

To facilitate public participation, the Church Committee has instructed dioceses across the country to coordinate with local parishes, allowing worshippers who wish to attend the public Mass to register their names. Each diocese will organize transportation and attendance logistics for its parishioners.

Visits to Annaya and Bkenaya

Pope Leo XIV will also visit the shrine of Saint Charbel in Annaya, highlighting the spiritual depth of his mission, and the Cross Monastery in Bkenaya, underscoring the visit’s social and human character.

Youth Gathering in Bkirki

A special encounter between the Pope and young Lebanese will take place at the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkirki on Monday, December 1. The National Committee for Catholic Youth Pastoral Care is organizing the gathering, which will bring together young participants aged 16 to 35 for a direct dialogue with His Holiness. The format will allow them to ask questions and share reflections in real time. 

Interfaith Meeting in Martyrs’ Square

An interfaith gathering, set for December 1 at 4 p.m. in Martyrs’ Square, will bring together leaders from all major religious communities. Attendance will be limited to 330 invited guests.

Media Coverage and Accreditation

A dedicated media committee is managing press logistics and has invited local, Arab, and international outlets to register journalists covering the event. Accreditation requests are being accepted exclusively through a special online portal until November 20:
👉 http://www.presidency.gov.lb/media-accreditation-form.html

A central media center will be set up at the Grand Ballroom of the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut, from where accredited journalists will be transported by special buses to various sites along the papal itinerary. For organizational and security reasons, press badges will be distributed 48 hours before the visit begins.

Security at Full Capacity

Security agencies are working at full capacity to ensure smooth operations and the safety of all participants during what is expected to be one of the most closely watched events in recent Lebanese history.

A Cornerstone from the South

One of the most poignant moments of the papal visit will be the presentation of a cornerstone from the ruins of St. George’s Church in Yaroun, southern Lebanon, which was destroyed by war but still standing as a testament to enduring faith.

The stone will be carried by believers to Pope Leo XIV to receive his apostolic blessing before being returned to its original site during the church’s reconstruction.