His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at Baabda Palace for meetings with President Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Berri, Prime Minister Salam, and representatives of the authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps

President Aoun: Lebanon is the homeland of freedom and dignity for every human being, this is its uniqueness in the world and its mission for all humankind.

The President of the Republic: It is the duty of living humanity to safeguard Lebanon, for if this model of free and equal coexistence among the followers of different religions were to fall, there would be no other place on earth suitable for it

Aoun to the Pope: The survival of Lebanon, fully present around you at this moment, is a prerequisite for the rise of peace, hope, and reconciliation among all the children of Abraham

Aoun to the World via Pope Leo XIV: We will not fall, we will not leave, we will not despair, and we will not give in

Pope Leo XIV: The resilience of the Lebanese is an essential and irreplaceable mark of true peacemakers

His Holiness: A call to officials to never distance themselves from their people, a people rich in diversity

The Supreme Pontiff: Officials must not distance themselves from their people, rich in diversity, and the culture of reconciliation requires authorities and institutions that recognize the common good as superior to individual interests

Pope Leo: Women have a special capacity for peacemaking, and their participation in social and political life is a key element of genuine renewal

The Supreme Pontiff: The Church not only cares for the dignity of those who move to other countries, but also wants no one to be forced to leave and for all who wish to return to be able to do so safely

President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, stressed that Lebanon is not merely a historic land, but the homeland of great saints. In a speech delivered at the opening of the meeting that brought him together with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and representatives of the authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps this evening at the Baabda Palace, he pointed out that Lebanon, the country welcoming the Pope today is “a country shaped by freedom and for freedom, not for any religion, sect, or group, a Lebanon that is the homeland of freedom and dignity for every human being,” emphasizing that this is its uniqueness in the world and its mission for all humankind.

President Aoun said that it is the duty of the living humanity to safeguard Lebanon, “for if this model of free and equal coexistence among the followers of different religions were to fall, there would be no other place on earth suited for it.”
He added, addressing His Holiness the Pope: “Today we affirm that the survival of Lebanon, fully present around you at this moment, is a prerequisite for the rise of peace, hope, and reconciliation among all the children of Abraham.”

The President pointed out that on our land today, and throughout our region, there are a lot of people that are oppressed and are suffering, “and their wounds await your blessed touch and they look forward to hearing, and to being heard through, your great and courageous voice.”

President Aoun concluded his speech by saying: “Your Holiness, tell the world that we will not fall, we will not leave, we will not despair, and we will not give in. We will remain here, breathing freedom, creating joy, practicing love, passionate about innovation, embracing modernity, and crafting each day a better life.”

For his part, His Holiness the Pope emphasized in his speech the concept of peacebuilding. He began by noting that the Lebanese are “a people who do not give up, who stand before difficulties and always know how to be reborn with courage,” considering their resilience an essential and irreplaceable mark of true peacemakers. 

He added: “You are a diverse country, a community made up of multiple communities, yet united by one language… And I wish to highlight in particular the language of hope, the language that has always allowed you to begin again.”

His Holiness called on officials never to distance themselves from their people, a people rich in diversity. He stressed that there can be no lasting reconciliation “without a common goal, nor without an openness to a future in which good prevails over the evil that people have suffered or inflicted on others, in the past or in the present. For this reason, the culture of reconciliation is not born solely from the grassroots, nor from the goodwill and courage of some; it also requires authorities and institutions that recognize that the common good stands above the interests of the parties.” 
In his speech, Pope Leo asked: “What must we do so that young people, in particular, no longer feel compelled to leave their land and emigrate? How can we encourage them not to seek peace elsewhere, but to find the necessary assurances and become its promoters in their homeland?”

Noting that many positive contributions come to Lebanon from Lebanese living abroad, His Holiness said: “Nevertheless, we must not forget that remaining in one’s homeland and contributing, day after day, to building a civilization of love and peace is something worthy of appreciation. In fact, the Church is concerned not only with the dignity of those who move to other countries, but also wants no one to be forced to leave, and for all who wish to return to be able to do so safely.”
His Holiness also highlighted the role of the Lebanese woman, stressing that we must not forget that women possess a special ability to build peace, for they excel in preserving deep bonds. He added: “Their participation in social and political life, as well as their participation within their religious communities, taking into account the youthful energy they possess, is, throughout the world, a key element of genuine renewal.”

Arrival
The motorcade of Pope Leon XIV arrived at the entrance of the road leading to the Presidential Palace, where he stepped out of his car and boarded the popemobile. He then proceeded in it, amid crowds of believers, toward the Presidential Palace, which he reached at around five in the afternoon. At the main entrance, a public gathering was held to greet him, followed by an equestrian show that accompanied His Holiness’s motorcade along the palace road. Despite the heavy rainfall, a Lebanese dabkeh performance was also held, featuring one hundred participants of various ages.

3D Mapping
When he first arrived at the flagpole, the lights in the outer court dimmed, marking the start of the 3D mapping on the palace façade. The performance told the story of every Lebanese citizen, rooted in their land, strong as Lebanon’s cedars, and steadfast as the keys of the Vatican, highlighting the enduring ties between the two nations. The Lebanese cedar, overcoming fractures and challenges, rose stronger and more beautiful, while the intertwining Lebanese and Vatican flags conveyed a message of peace. The presence of His Holiness brought a renewed sense of hope to all Lebanese. 

The show opened by highlighting the years of war, conflict, and division that Lebanon has endured. Out of the scattered fragments, broken lines came together to form a glowing cedar tree, a symbol of the Lebanese people’s resilience, unity, and unwavering hope despite their differences. 

In the next part of the show, candles and glowing particles spread across the façade, like a gentle breath that brings peace to the soul. From the heart of the cedar, doves soared gracefully over the palace, symbolizing the power of collective prayer rising from Lebanon to the world.

Then the longing for world peace is reflected through the Lebanese and Vatican flags, which slowly move toward each other before meeting and gently entwining, symbolizing the historic and spiritual bond between Lebanon and the Holy See.
The show reaches its climax with the throne of Saint Peter, framed by a stained-glass window representing the Holy Spirit. Beams of light radiate from it, carrying the word “peace” in twelve languages and filling the space with its warm message.
The universal longing for peace comes to life as the colorful glass dove transforms into a real one, soaring over St. Peter’s Square. The scene rises above the clouds, revealing a breathtaking aerial view of the square projected onto the palace walls.

The show concludes with Lebanon’s warm welcome to Pope Leo XIV, accompanied by a final message displayed in Arabic, French, and English: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” A spiritual greeting and a message of hope, embracing both earth and sky.

Entry into the Palace
Following the show, His Holiness the Pope proceeded to the palace entrance, where he was welcomed by President Aoun and the First Lebanese Lady. Their grandchildren presented him with roses and olive branches. He then walked alongside President Aoun and the First Lady between the lines of the Al-Ramahin Battalion to the Ambassadors’ Hall, where he held a bilateral meeting with the President, later joined by family members for souvenir photos.

President Aoun gifted the Pope a wooden cedar painting by artist Nabil Nahhas, blending abstraction and landscape to evoke a world where form and memory intertwine. In return, the Holy Father presented the President with a commemorative medal featuring, on the right, images of Our Lady of Lebanon and Saint Charbel Makhlouf united by the cedar, and on the left, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Turkey alongside a sculpture of Saint Andrew, patron saint of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The medal, designed and crafted by sculptor Amalia Mistichelli, also bears the dates of the Pope’s visits to Turkey and Lebanon, from November 27 to December 2, 2025, inscribed in Latin.

The President’s grandchildren added a personal touch, presenting the Pope with a tennis racket and balls, acknowledging his love for the game. 

His Holiness then met with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, later joined by Mrs. Randa Berri and members of his family. During the meeting, he was presented with a book by Italian historian Martiniano Pellegrino Roncaglia, “In the Footsteps of Jesus Christ in Lebanon,” which traces Christ’s journey in the south, particularly in Qana, Tyre, and Sidon, and recounts his first miracles in the region.

He subsequently held a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, later joined by his wife, Mrs. Sahar Baasiri Salam, and their family, where official photos were taken.

Cedar Tree
Following the meetings, the Pope, President Aoun, and the First Lebanese Lady moved to the October 22 Hall to water a cedar tree brought indoors due to the inclement weather. The ceremony was accompanied by a performance from the choir of the Lebanese School for the Blind and Deaf in Baabda, who sang songs by Fairuz.

Golden Book
Pope Leo, accompanied by President Aoun and the First Lebanese Lady, then proceeded to the main lobby of the palace, where he inscribed the following message in the golden register using a pen made of Lebanese olive wood:
"On the first day of my visit to Lebanon, one of two countries that I am visiting on this first Apostolic voyage of my Pontificate, I happily wish many blessings upon all the people of Lebanon, praying that peace will reign."

Meeting with representatives of the authorities and civil society
His Holiness the Pope, President Aoun and the First Lady then went into Hall May 25 where they met with representatives of the authorities and civil society and the diplomatic corps, with the presence of Presidents Berri and Salam with their wives; the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Cardinal Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi; Deputy Prime Minister, Tarek Mitri; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Elias Bou Saab; and former presidents of the Republic: General Michel Suleiman and his wife, President Michel Aoun and his wife, and former First Ladies Mona Hrawi and Solange Gemayel.

Were also present: former Prime Ministers Fouad Siniora and Tammam Salam, a number of ministers and members of parliament, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Greek Orthodox John X Yazigi, Patriarch of Antioch, Alexandria, and Jerusalem of the Greek Catholics Joseph Absi 1st, Catholicos of the Armenian Orthodox of the Holy See of Cilicia Aram 1st, Patriarch of the Armenian Catholics of Cilicia Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Ignatius Ephrem II, Patriarch of the Syriac Catholics of Antioch Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Head of the Chaldean community in Lebanon Bishop Michel Kassarji, Apostolic Nuncio of the Latins in Lebanon Bishop Cesar Essayan, Head of the Assyrian community Bishop Mar Meelis Zaia, Head of the Coptic community in Lebanon and Syria Father Andraos Al Anthouny, Head of the Supreme Evangelical Council in Lebanon and Syria Father Joseph Kassab, Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, Deputy Head of the Supreme Shiite Islamic Council Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, Supreme Jaafari Mufti Ahmed Abdul Amir Qablan, Sheikh of the Druze community Sheikh Sami Abu Al-Muna, Head of the Alawite Islamic Council Sheikh Ali Qaddour, Metropolitan of Beirut of the Greek Orthodox Bishop Elias Audi, Metropolitan of Beirut of the Greek Catholics Bishop George Bakouni, Maronite Bishop of the Beirut Diocese Bishop Paul Abdel Sater, Patriarch of Alexandria of the Coptic Catholics Anba Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak, Patriarch of the Chaldeans in Iraq and the world Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, a number of ministers and members of the Parliament, Arab and foreign ambassadors, security leaders, and prominent figures from the economic, labor, social, and cultural sectors.

Were also present: Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican; Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity; Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, President of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches; Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue; Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Vice Secretary of State of the Vatican; Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations; Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Head of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations; Archbishop Paolo Borgia, Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon; Father Jacob Tomashievsky, Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature; and Heads of Ceremonies Msgr Lubomir Welnitz and Msgr Massimiliano Matteucci Boiardi.

Also present from the Secretariat of State were Msgr Giuseppe Merola (Italian Section), Msgr Paul Moss (English Section), and Msgr Guillaume Meaux (French Section).

In addition: Dr. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communications; Dr. Matteo Bruni, Director of the Press Office of the Holy See; Dr. Andrea Tornielli, Editorial Director of the Dicastery for Communications; and Dr. Andrea Monda, Director of L’Osservatore Romano.

President Aoun
The meeting began with a welcoming speech by President Aoun, in which he said:

Speech of His Holiness the Pope

Then His Holiness the Pope addressed the people of Lebanon with the following speech:

Inside the hall, the stage stood out with a design featuring Lebanon's white mountains, its majestic cedars, and doves of peace fluttering in the sky, with the phrase written: "Blessed are the peacemakers".

It is worth noting that the chairs of President Aoun and Pope Leo were made specifically for the occasion with the emblem of each country on them. The stage also stood out during the comprehensive meeting, with its design that included the white mountains of Lebanon, its towering cedars, and the doves of peace fluttering in the sky, with the phrase written: Blessed are the peacemakers.

Departure
At the end of the meeting, President Aoun and the First Lady accompanied His Holiness the Pope to the inner hall of the Presidential Palace, where His Holiness shook hands with Presidents Berri and Salam, before President Aoun and the First Lady bid him farewell at the entrance of the palace, after which His Holiness left and headed to his residence in the Papal Embassy.

Along the way, believers gathered to pay tribute to the Pope who had blessed them.