At a time of heightened international tension, Pope Leo XIV’s closeness has transcended technological boundaries to reach the heart of one of the most critical hotspots in the Middle East. The Holy Father held a moving video call with a group of priests carrying out their pastoral work in southern Lebanon, a region currently marked by uncertainty and the fury of fighting.

The online meeting was made possible through the mediation of the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, Archbishop Paolo Borgia, who facilitated the connection between the Vatican and the priests who have chosen not to abandon their communities despite the risks. During the conversation, Pope Leo XIV not only listened to the testimonies of those living on the front lines, but also reiterated his constant prayers for peace in the region.

“Thank you for your witness, thank you for the good you do. I am close to you,” the Pope said, visibly moved by the ministers’ spiritual resilience.

The priests shared with the Pope the daily realities of Lebanese families suffering displacement and fear. Leo XIV urged them to continue being beacons of hope and comfort for a people who have historically been an example of coexistence, but who today are threatened by violence.

This gesture reinforces the Pope’s constant calls for a ceasefire and respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty. For pastors on the ground, the call was not a mere formality, but a “spiritual embrace” that gives them strength to stand with the most vulnerable in their darkest hours.

The communication concluded with a special blessing for all the Lebanese people, leaving a clear message: the Vatican does not forget the peripheries, especially those where peace seems a distant horizon.