Pope Leo XIV ride on Lebanon on the likely first international trip

Pope Leo XIV is preparing for a trip to Lebanon at the end of this year, which can become his first journey abroad since the election of the head of the Catholic Church in May.

Archbishop Paul Sai, deputy of Lebanon’s highest Catholic leader, said the BBC that the Vatican was “studying” on the trip, but the church was still waiting for official dates.

The visit would have noted a significant moment for the first American Pope, who repeatedly called for peace in the Middle East and coexist interfaith.

“Lebanon is a multicultural, multi-religious country and is a place of dialogue,” said Bishop Sai.

“This is one of the rare conditions where Muslims and Christians live together and respect each other … so he sends a message to the region.”

There were speculations about Leo’s first international purpose, as early papal trips are often determined by the tone of the pontificate.

The first major journey of Pope Francis outside Rome, to the Italian Island of Lampedus in 2013, created the basis for its concentration on migration and marginalized communities.

In recent decades, foreign trips have become a major in the papkly, which allowed the Pope to contact Catholics around the world, distribute their message and participate in diplomacy.

In his 12 years, like the Pontiff, Francis visited 68 countries in 47 foreign trips, often choosing directions on the outskirts of the world, which he called “periphery”.

Lebanon, where more than two million Catholics live and is known for its religious diversity, has long carried a symbolic weight for the church. The papal stop will also put Leo near the Gaza war and a wider conflict of Israel-Palestine.

“Everyone is talking to Israel, but Israel does not listen. Netanyahu seems to be listening much, but the more (the leaders say) the better,” said Bishop Sai.

“When the pope adds his voice and care, I think it can have a certain impact.”

Pope Leo has already drew attention to information efforts with other faiths.

One of his first meetings after his election was with an inter -religious delegation, where he praised the “Jewish roots of Christianity” and honored “a growing commitment to dialogue and brotherhood” between Catholics and Muslims. He has repeatedly called on Christians, Jews and Muslims to say “no war and so, to peace.”

When the trip goes forward, it will follow John Paul II and Benedict XVI, both remembered in the reports of peace and religious coexistence.

Earlier this month, Pope Leo also noted the fifth anniversary of the Beirut port blast, which killed 200 people and billions.

“Favorite and suffering Lebanon remains at the center of our prayers,” he said.