On December 1, Pope Leo XIV prayed at the tomb of St. Charbel and invited people to imitate him in prayer, silence, modesty, and poverty.
St. Charbel wrote nothing and lived most of his life in seclusion in a hermitage in the hills of Annaya, Lebanon. Yet his teachings are so rich and relevant that Pope Leo XIV emphasized them when he paid his respects at his tomb on December 1, the second day of his apostolic journey to Lebanon, and again that evening when speaking to young people.
First, there was a moment of personal prayer by the Pope and a word of welcome from the Superior General of the Lebanese Maronite Order (familiarly known as the Baladites), Father Hadi Mahfouz.

Then, Leo XIV spoke, recalling four key attitudes taught by St. Charbel (emphasis added):

The Holy Spirit formed him so that he could teach those who live without God how to pray, those who live immersed in noise how to be silent, those who live ostentatiously how to be modest, and those who seek riches how to be poor.
All of these behaviors are counter-cultural, yet, that is precisely why they attract us, just like fresh, pure water draws those walking in the desert.
“His steadfastness, as radical as it was humble, is a message for all Christians,” the Pope emphasized. “Even during his earthly life, many went to him to receive comfort, forgiveness and advice from the Lord. After St. Charbel’s death, his work multiplied and became like a river of mercy.”
Leo XIV also recalled the great power of intercession of St. Charbel, to whom the archivist of the Monastery of Saint Maroun attributes no less than 30,000 miracles, based on letters of thanks received in Annaya. He then entrusted to the intercession of St. Charbel communion and unity in the Church and peace in the world.

In this regard, the Pope particularly singled out families, as “domestic churches.”

For the Church, we ask for communion and unity, beginning with families who are small domestic churches, then parish and diocesan communities, and finally for the universal Church. Communion and unity. For the world, we ask for peace. We especially implore it for Lebanon and for the entire Levant. But we know well – and the saints remind us – that there is no peace without conversion of hearts. May Saint Charbel, therefore, help us to turn to God and ask for the gift of conversion for all of us.
Prayer, silence, modesty, and poverty

Prayer, silence, modesty, and poverty are four dispositions that St. Charbel lived fully and which led him on the path to holiness. Four attitudes that are vital for modern man, and which the Pope presents as an oasis in the desert.
During his evening meeting with youth, he reiterated the saint’s example of silence and prayer, suggesting four concrete actions (emphasis added):

In a world of distractions and vanity, take time each day to close your eyes and look only to God. He sometimes seems silent or absent, but he reveals himself to those who seek him in silence. As you strive to do good, I ask you to be contemplatives like St. Charbel by praying, reading Sacred Scripture, participating in Holy Mass, and spending time in adoration.
Not everyone is called to become a hermit! Nevertheless, these dispositions of the soul are accessible to all. They go against the trends of this world, Leo XIV acknowledges, but we should pursue them on the path of holiness.