Pope Leo XIV video-calls priests in southern Lebanon

By Salvatore Cernuzio

Around 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, a group of parish priests from villages in southern Lebanon got a pleasant surprise when they received a video call from Pope Leo XIV.

Around ten small screens featured the faces of the various priests, and at the center was Pope Leo. The call lasted only a few minutes, but there were greetings and smiles, marked by the surprise of the participants. The villages of the priests are along the border with Israel and are being worn down by missiles and bombardments.

The Pope reiterated his “encouragement” to the priests “for what they are doing.” He also assured them of “his prayers” and imparted his apostolic blessing.

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Encouragement and closeness

The occasion for the call was this morning’s meeting between the Pope and the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, Archbishop Paolo Borgia, in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.

For months, the nuncio has been working in those border areas to bring – together with charitable organizations – food aid, basic necessities, as well as words of comfort and the closeness of the Church and the Pope.

This closeness became even more tangible—albeit virtually—today with Pope Leo’s video call. In December 2025, he had visited Lebanon on his first international trip.

The Pope continues to follow the situation in the war-torn country closely through communication with civil and ecclesial representatives, while ensuring the support of the Holy See.

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On Tuesday, the Nuncio had asked the priests to create a group, “Priests of the South,” and to be available around 9:30–9:45 the following day for a greeting from Rome. Also present were the Greek-Catholic bishop of Tyre and the vicar general.

Some of the priests had sensed the possible surprise, such as Father Toni Elias, parish priest in Rmeish, the village separated from Israel only by a forest.

“It was beautiful,” he told Vatican News. “The Pope encouraged us, told us he prays for us, that he supports us, and he gave his blessing, in the hope that peace will soon be achieved.” The call lasted only a few minutes, but Father Toni assures, “it was a breath of hope and trust that was much needed.”

Gratitude, in addition to Pope Leo, also goes to Archbishop Borgia for this further gesture of attention toward the clergy of the south. “He brings charity, he walks through danger, through bombed and destroyed roads, among exploded houses,” says Elias. “In him I see the mission of his patron saint, Saint Paul.”