Three Historical Sites that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV Will Visit as Part of His Program in Lebanon

What Are their Significance and the Stations They Have Passed Through?

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

The countdown to the hopeful encounter has begun! From the Vatican, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV carries his peace to Lebanon, which awaits him with longing and faith. The Holy Father comes to the Land of the Cedars for a historic visit, one for which the Lebanese are preparing with hearts full of joy and Prayer.

The visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, under the motto "Blessed Are the Peacemakers," is a sign of hope in a time when Lebanon is experiencing difficult circumstances. A visit that will confirm that the light of Christ truly dispels worldly darkness.

As the anticipated date draws near, Church, security, and logistical preparations are in full swing to ensure the Pope's arrival in Lebanon between November 30 and December 2.

The Pope's program in Lebanon includes several stations where he will unite with the Lebanese people in Prayer for peace, justice and truth and righteousness, and for all humanity on this earth. What is remarkable about his program is his visit to the Shrine of Saint Charbel in the Monastery of Saint Maron in Annaya, the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, and the Sisters of the Cross Hospital in Jal El Dib. Three sites that hold within their walls a rich history of faith, service, and love.

Middle East Socioeconomic Overview

Report: October 2025

Despite the US announcing a ceasefire in Gaza, to this day, multiple violations are being recorded. The occupier continues to bomb targets while inflicting hundreds of civilian casualties. The US is trying to maintain an image that it is the one making sure that deal works and that it is one in charge. However, it fails to contain the actions of the occupier which continues to strike with impunity throughout Gaza. As its hunger for blood continues without any relevant resistance, this begs the following question: Will the bloodshed end in Gaza or will it expand to include other areas?

Within the "Second Angle" Program on SAT7 TV Channel

“Momentum”

14-11-2025

This issue includes reports, videos, news, articles, and a full coverage of the latest developments of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as well as the Church, Ecumenical, and social events…

This is in addition to the weekly word of the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs which is entitled in this issue “Middle East Council of Churches: A Haven of Dialogue and Reconciliation”. It i the word that he delivered at the celebration commemorating the sixtieth anniversary of the document "Nostra Aetate", held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Maronite Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke, Lebanon.

You can check the issue via the following link:
https://mailchi.mp/b89c6082499a/momentum-mecc-weekly-newsletter.

You can also subscribe to the Momentum Newsletter via the following link:

https://mecc.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=fd3381352a&u=1db32cafe9ea32b38eb90480a.

Media Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

With the blessings and presence of His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, a celebration was held to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea (325 AD). The event took place at the invitation of the Ecumenical Relations Committee and the Theological and Biblical Committee of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops, and the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

The ceremony, held on Friday, November 15, 2025, in the lectures hall of the Maronite Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke, Lebanon, was attended by His Holiness and Beatitude the Patriarchs of the Eastern Churches, Archbishops and Bishops, including the Catholic Bishops of Lebanon gathered for their 58th session, and His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon Archbishop Paolo Borgia.

Participants were also the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros, the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, the MECC media team, Priests, Monks and Nuns, Seminarians, specialists from various fields, and guests from different Church Families.

Words Emphasized that: “Martyrdom is a Historical Memory to Heroism and Faith”

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs headed an MECC delegation on a visit to His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family, on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Patriarchate in Geitawi - Achrafieh, Lebanon.

The MECC delegation included the Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, the Coordinator of Media and Church Relations the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Executive Assistant to the Secretary General Mrs. Maha Semaan, and the Communication and Media Officer in the Communication and Public Relations Department Elia Nasrallah.

Following a closed meeting between His Beatitude and the Secretary General, the attendees gathered in the Patriarchal Hall, where Patriarch Minassian welcomed the MECC delegation, commending the Council's work and its role in building bridges and fostering rapprochement among the various Churches.

Youth Meeting in Bkerke: A Celebration of Faith and Witness

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

December 1, 2025, is a day of joy for every young man and woman. It is a day when youth renew their hope and strengthen their determination to continue working for peace. It is the day they will meet with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, who comes to Lebanon carrying Jesus Christ in his heart and bringing the Lord's peace to a nation yearning for tranquility and stability.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV's meeting with the youth of Lebanon is the first of its kind outside the Vatican. It will be a spiritual and national event through which the Holy Father places his great trust in the younger generation, sowing much joy and hope in their hearts. December 1 is an event that crowns the role of youth, the future of Lebanon and its mission.

In this context, the media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues to highlight the meeting of His Holiness the Pope with the youth, as it had prepared a report about the slogan of the meeting, and hosted, through its pages in the “Platform of the Word”, guests who spoke in various segments about this anticipated event.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of November 2025. It includes the Ecclesiastical and Liturgical Feasts of the various Families of Churches in the Middle East. In addition to international days identified by the United Nations, and which are related to the MECC identity and its spiritual and human mission.

Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches

“Ecumenical Horizons” is a weekly program that features spiritual, cultural, intellectual, educational, youth and environmental topics.