Pope Leo XIV is preparing to travel to Lebanon later this year, in what could be his first journey abroad since being elected head of the Catholic Church in May, the BBC reports.
Archbishop Paul Sayah, deputy to Lebanon’s highest-ranking Catholic leader, told the BBC the Vatican was “studying” the trip but that the church was still waiting for official dates.
The visit would mark a significant moment for the first American Pope, who has repeatedly urged peace in the Middle East and interfaith co-existence.
“Lebanon is a multicultural, multi-religious country and is a place of dialogue,” Bishop Sayah said.
