Pope Leo XIV placed a surprise video call May 6 to about 10 priests serving in southern Lebanon villages near the Israeli border, offering encouragement, prayers, and his apostolic blessing as communities there continue to endure cross-border violence.
According to Vatican News, the group call came during the Pope’s meeting at the Vatican with Archbishop Paolo Borgia, the Vatican’s ambassador to Lebanon. The priests serve in villages affected by ongoing missile strikes and bombardments along the border with Israel.
“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,” said Fr. Toni Elias, a parish priest in the border village of Rmeish. He described the brief conversation as “a breath of hope and trust that was much needed.”
Fr. Elias also praised Archbishop Borgia for his continued support of clergy and civilians in southern Lebanon amid the conflict.
“He brings charity, he walks through danger, through bombed and destroyed roads, among exploded houses,” Fr. Elias said. “In him I see the mission of his patron saint, Saint Paul.”
The Pope’s outreach followed months of escalating violence in southern Lebanon, including the death of Father Pierre El-Rahi, a Maronite Catholic priest in the village of Qlayaa who was killed by an Israeli tank shell. After his death, the Pope expressed “deep sorrow” for victims of the regional conflict, including Father El-Rahi and civilians caught in the fighting.
During an April 23 in-flight press conference, the Holy Father said he carries in his pocket a photo of a Muslim Lebanese boy who greeted him with a “Welcome, Pope Leo” sign. The boy was later killed in the conflict. The Pope called the image a reminder of war’s human cost and said, “I cannot be in favor of war.”
Lebanon's official death toll since Israel launched its new military campaign March 2 stands at 2,454, and an additional 7,658 have been wounded, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.