Lebanon

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Pope Francis greets Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai during a previous private audience at the Vatican, on Feb. 7, 2020.

Pope Francis briefed on Lebanon’s ‘bitter economic crisis’ by Maronite patriarch

Nov 30, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis met with Lebanon’s Maronite patriarch at the Vatican this weekend and told the pope of the challenges facing... Read more

Reconstruction of blast-damaged Beirut church brings hope

Nov 19, 2020

The reconstruction of a church in Beirut severely damaged by the massive explosion that rocked the city this summer is... Read more

Fr. Leonard Melki, pictured in Lebanon in 1911.

Pope Francis recognizes martyrdom of Lebanese priests killed under Ottoman Empire

Oct 28, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis Wednesday advanced the sainthood causes of nine men and women, including two Lebanese priests martyred under the Ottoman Empire.  Read more

The port of Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 5, 2020, one day after a massive explosion.

Second round of US aid to Lebanon in question after August blast

Oct 26, 2020

As Lebanon continues to deal with fallout from the massive August explosion that devastated parts of the capital, Beirut, advocates... Read more

Damage in downtown Beirut following an explosion at the city's port, Aug. 6, 2020.

Syriac Catholic Patriarch offers free tuition, rent assistance after Beirut blast

Oct 5, 2020

On August 4, a fire in the capital city of Beirut, Lebanon spread to a warehouse containing some 2,750 tons... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin says Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, Lebanon Sept. 3, 2020.

Cardinal Parolin in Lebanon: The Church, Pope Francis are with you after Beirut explosion

Sep 4, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Pietro Parolin told Lebanese Catholics at a Mass in Beirut Thursday that Pope Francis is close to them, and... Read more

Pope Francis with Lebanese priest Fr. Georges Breidi at his general audience Sept. 2, 2020. Photo

Pope Francis calls for day of prayer and fasting for Lebanon

Sep 2, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

At the end of his general audience Wednesday, Pope Francis made a lengthy appeal for peace and harmony in Lebanon,... Read more

Damage after the Aug. 4 Beirut explosion.

Knights of Columbus donating $250,000 after Beirut explosion

Aug 25, 2020

The Knights of Columbus is donating $250,000 to aid relief efforts following a massive explosion in Beirut earlier this month.  Read more

Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai, the Maronite Patriarch, at the Vatican March 5, 2013.

Catholic leader outlines vision for Lebanon as the ‘Switzerland of the East’

Aug 18, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Lebanon’s Maronite patriarch issued a memorandum Monday outlining a vision for the restoration of the country’s neutral status as the... Read more

Damage after the Aug. 4 Beirut explosion.

After Beirut blast, what some Lebanese Christians are doing to help their neighbors

Aug 14, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

The massive explosion in the port area of Lebanon’s capital on Aug. 4 overturned cars, shattered windows, set fires, and... Read more

Lebanese flag on barbed wire in front of the Lebanese government seat of Grand Serail.

Lebanese scholar: The West cannot afford to abandon Lebanon

Aug 13, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

A Lebanese academic and aid worker told CNA on Thursday that if Western nations fail to help Lebanon recover from... Read more

Pope Francis gives his Angelus address June 8, 2020.

Pope Francis: Even in times of darkness, God is there

Aug 9, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

When caught in difficult moments or trials, turn your heart to God, who is near even when you do not... Read more

Aftermath of the Aug. 4, 2020 explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.

Aid to the Church in Need sending 250,000 euro in food aid to Lebanon

Aug 6, 2020

International Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has announced an emergency 250,000 euro food aid package for... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square March 14, 2018.

Pope Francis prays for victims of 'tragic' Beirut explosion as death toll climbs

Aug 5, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has asked for prayers for Lebanon and for the victims of yesterday's Beirut explosions, which have killed over... Read more

People ride past a car destroyed after a building wall collapsed after a large explosion on August 4, 2020 in Beirut, Lebanon.

Maronite Catholic priest concerned by potential shortages after Beirut blast

Aug 4, 2020

A Maronite priest from Lebanon has expressed concern that the country may face food shortages in the wake of Tuesday’s... Read more

Wounded people wait to received help outside a hospital following an explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 4, 2020.

Lebanese priest: 'We need your prayers' after Beirut explosions

Aug 4, 2020

A Lebanese Catholic priest has asked believers around the world to pray for the people of his country, after two... Read more

A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020.

After Beirut explosion, Lebanon turns to St. Charbel

Aug 4, 2020

At least one massive explosion rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut Tuesday afternoon, which ignited fires and destroyed buildings in... Read more

Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai, the Maronite Patriarch, at the Vatican March 5, 2013.

Patriarchs meet in Lebanon to discuss political neutrality amid crisis

Jul 24, 2020

By Courtney Mares

As Lebanon reels from an economic crisis, Catholic patriarchs met Thursday and reaffirmed the importance of the country’s neutrality in... Read more

The statue of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, Lebanon.

Pope Francis supports scholarships in Lebanon as country faces ‘severe crisis’

May 14, 2020

Pope Francis will donate $200,000 to support 400 scholarships in Lebanon in an expression of his concern for the country’s... Read more

Lebanese flag on barbed wire in front of the Lebanese government seat of Grand Serail.

World is 'washing its hands' of Lebanon, Maronite bishop warns

May 6, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

Bishop Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles said that the prospect of... Read more