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.
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.