Sharing Scripture during Pope Leo’s Visit to Lebanon
Lebanon | November 30 – December 2, 2025
Under the theme “Blessed are the Peacemakers,” the Bible Society played an active and visible role during Pope Leo XIV’s historic visit to Lebanon, contributing to the spiritual impact of the visit through the publication and nationwide distribution of 60,000 Special Edition New Testaments.
Produced specifically for this occasion, the Special Edition New Testament includes a dedicated article exploring the biblical and historical perspectives of the Nicene Creed, prepared and approved in coordination with the visit’s official organizers, Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon (APECL), and the Biblical Federation.
Active Participation Across Major Papal Events
The Bible Society’s team actively participated in three key papal gatherings, distributing New Testaments as a tangible expression of support, encouragement, and Scripture engagement:
- Ecumenical & Interfaith Gathering
Martyrs’ Square, Beirut
Active participation alongside religious leaders, reinforcing the call to peace and dialogue. - Youth Encounter
Bkerké | ~15,000 attendees
The second-largest gathering of the visit, where the New Testaments were distributed.
During the encounter, Pope Leo XIV urged young people to remain rooted in faith and hope as an antidote to despair and emigration. - Open-Air Papal Mass
Beirut Waterfront | ~100,000 participants
At the main public celebration of the visit, the remaining New Testaments were distributed.
The Pope’s homily emphasized peace, forgiveness, reconciliation, and national renewal.
Supporting the Pope’s Four Core Objectives
Pope Leo XIV’s visit centered on four major objectives, with the distribution of Scripture serving as a physical and spiritual support to participants:
- Peacebuilding & Reconciliation
Meetings with leaders from different religious communities, calling for dialogue and coexistence. - Support for Christians in Lebanon
Prayer at key spiritual sites and the presentation of the Golden Rose as a sign of encouragement. - Solidarity with a Suffering Nation
A moment of silent prayer at the Port of Beirut explosion site and visits to hospitals. - Encouraging and Empowering Youth
A large-scale youth gathering highlighting hope, purpose, and commitment to remain and rebuild.
Through its active participation and Scripture distribution, the Bible Society was honored to contribute meaningfully to this historic moment for Lebanon and its people.
The Bible Society’s mission is to spread the Holy Bible’s message and culture to all generations through translating, publishing, and distributing the Scriptures using visual, audio-visual, readable, and digital formats, encouraging people to read and engage with God’s word, advocating the Bible cause to uphold human dignity, and partnering with all Churches and Christian institutions.