Pope Leo XIV Prays for Peace in Lebanon and the Middle East, Urges Unity Among Churches

May 2026 : Pope Leo XIV has called for renewed prayers for peace in Lebanon and the wider Middle East, describing the region as “once again torn apart by violence and war,” as he welcomed Armenian Catholicos Aram I during the weekly General Audience at the Vatican.

During the gathering in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope warmly greeted Catholicos Aram I, who joined him on stage just two days after the two spiritual leaders met and prayed together at the Vatican Apostolic Palace on May 18. The encounter marked a continuation of growing dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Pope Leo XIV expressed joy at the visit, calling it “an important occasion to strengthen the bonds of unity that already exist between us, as we draw closer to full communion between our Churches.” He prayed that the Holy Spirit would bless the Catholicos’s pilgrimage to the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul, urging those present to pray that the visit would become “a further step on the path towards full unity.”

The Armenian Apostolic Church under the Catholicosate of Cilicia has a wide jurisdiction that includes Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf region, Iran, Greece, and the Americas. Since 1930, its headquarters has been located in Antelias, Lebanon—placing it at the heart of a region often affected by political instability.

The Pope also used the occasion to highlight the importance of ecumenical dialogue, thanking Catholicos Aram I for his “constant personal commitment to ecumenism,” particularly in advancing theological discussions between the Catholic Church and Oriental Orthodox Churches. He stressed that such engagement is essential for building stronger Christian unity worldwide.

Recalling their private meeting earlier in the week, Pope Leo XIV said he had assured the Catholicos of his daily prayers for the people of Lebanon and for Christian communities across the Middle East. He reiterated his concern for regions suffering from ongoing conflict and instability.

Concluding his address, the Pope invited the faithful to join in prayer for peace and unity, asking for the intercession of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, Saint Gregory of Narek, Saint Nerses the Gracious, and the Virgin Mary. “May they enlighten our path towards the fullness of that unity we all desire,” he said, encouraging continued hope for reconciliation among Churches and peace in the region.