Pope Leo XIV Highlights Saint Charbel’s Timeless Message During Visit to Annaya
During a solemn visit to the tomb of Saint Charbel in Annaya, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful reflection on the spiritual guidance the revered Lebanese saint continues to offer the world today.
Addressing worshippers and clergy, the Pope emphasized that Saint Charbel remains a model for people who have lost touch with faith. “Through the Holy Spirit, Saint Charbel was shaped into a voice that reminds those who live without God how to pray,” he said. He also noted that the saint’s life of deep contemplation stands as a lesson “for those surrounded by constant noise, teaching them the grace of silence.”
Pope Leo XIV further highlighted Saint Charbel’s humility and simplicity, explaining that his example challenges “those who live in showiness to rediscover modesty, and those chasing wealth to embrace spiritual poverty.”
In his message, the Pope underscored that true peace begins within. “There can be no peace without the conversion of hearts,” he warned, urging the faithful to seek inner transformation.
As a symbolic gesture of trust and blessing, Pope Leo XIV presented a lit lamp to the monastery, praying that Lebanon “may always walk in the light of Christ” amid its challenges.
The visit marked a moment of renewed hope for Lebanese Christians, reaffirming Saint Charbel’s place as a beacon of faith for the nation and the wider world.
