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Pope Leo XIV at the Tomb of Saint Charbel
On December 1, 2025, Pope Leo XIV knelt at Saint Charbel's tomb in Annaya - the first pope ever to make that pilgrimage. He came during his apostolic journey to Lebanon, offered a lamp as a sign of the light God kindled through the saint, and entrusted the Church, Lebanon, and the world to Saint Charbel's intercession.
The First Pope at the Tomb
No pope had ever prayed at Saint Charbel's tomb before. Pope Leo XIV came to Annaya on Monday, December 1, 2025, during his apostolic journey to Türkiye and Lebanon (November 27 - December 2, 2025) - a journey that also marked the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. Standing in the monastery where the hermit lived and died, he said what the moment meant:
"I give thanks to God for allowing me to come as a pilgrim to the tomb of Saint Charbel. I think that my predecessors - especially Saint Paul VI, who beatified and canonized him - would have greatly desired to do the same."
The visit crowned a year that had already drawn the world's attention to Annaya, and it placed the authority of the papacy itself behind a simple truth Lebanese pilgrims have known for generations: this quiet mountain monastery is one of the great places of prayer in the Catholic world.
What the Pope Said Saint Charbel Teaches
In his greeting at the tomb, Pope Leo asked the question many people ask: "What does Saint Charbel teach us today? What is the legacy of this man who wrote nothing, who lived a hidden and silent life, yet whose fame spread throughout the world?" His answer was a portrait of a saint whose whole life argues against the spirit of the age:
- He teaches those who live without God how to pray.
- He teaches those who live immersed in noise how to be silent.
- He teaches those who live ostentatiously how to be modest.
- He teaches 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." Our Become Like Him page is a practical guide to exactly these four lessons.
"A River of Mercy": The Pope on the Miracles
Pope Leo also spoke directly about the devotion that fills Annaya every month. Saint Charbel, he said, "has never ceased to intercede for us before our Heavenly Father, the source of every good and grace. Even during his earthly life, many went to him to receive comfort, forgiveness and advice from the Lord. After Saint Charbel's death, his work multiplied and became like a river of mercy. For this reason, on the twenty-second of every month, thousands of pilgrims from different countries come here to spend a day in prayer and to renew their souls and bodies."
The monthly pilgrimage he described is the 22nd of the month tradition, and the intercession he praised is the reason behind the miracles recorded at the tomb.
What He Entrusted to Saint Charbel
Before leaving, Pope Leo named three petitions and left a gift.
For the world: peace
"We especially implore it for Lebanon and for the entire Levant... there is no peace without conversion of hearts."
The gift: a lamp
"As a symbol of the light that God has enkindled here through Saint Charbel, I have brought a lamp as a gift. In offering this lamp, I entrust Lebanon and its people to the protection of Saint Charbel, so that they may always walk in the light of Christ."
The charge to the monastery
"We give thanks to God for the gift of Saint Charbel! I also thank all of you for preserving his memory. Keep walking in the light of the Lord!"
Why It Matters
Saint Charbel was a hermit who asked for nothing and sought no one. In the years since his death in 1898, the reverse has happened: the world keeps coming to him. The sick are carried to his tomb. Pilgrims of every religion climb his mountain. A long-distance pilgrimage trail now bears his name. And on December 1, 2025, the successor of Peter made the same climb - as a pilgrim. If you can make the journey, our guide to visiting Annaya has everything you need; if you cannot, you can still pray where you are, starting with the novena or a simple prayer for healing.