Pope Leo has sent a message of Easter consolation to Christians in southern Lebanon as violence along the border with Israel continues to affect civilian communities, including the predominantly Christian village of Debel.
The message, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, was delivered by Archbishop Paolo Borgia, the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, after a planned visit to the village was prevented by ongoing hostilities.
The nuncio had intended to travel to Debel on Easter Day with a humanitarian convoy carrying aid organised by Caritas, Œuvre d’Orient and the Maronite Patriarchate, but was forced to remain at a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) base in Deir Kifa due to security concerns.
Instead, Archbishop Borgia read the papal message on Lebanese television, addressing the inhabitants of Debel and other communities in the south of the country.
In the message, Pope Leo XIV expressed his closeness to those suffering amid the conflict. “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV is pleased to express to you, on this Easter Day, and in the dramatic circumstances you are experiencing, his paternal closeness and tenderness,” Cardinal Parolin wrote on the Pope’s behalf. He added that the Pope “extends his message of consolation and compassion to all Christians in south Lebanon and to all those suffering the consequences of the war”.
Marking Easter, the Pope referred to the central Christian belief in the Resurrection. “Today, we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. May you, amidst feelings of sorrow, anguish and mourning, experience a deeper joy in your hearts today: Jesus has gloriously triumphed over death. It is a joy that comes from heaven and that nothing can take from you.”
He continued by addressing the experience of those living through the conflict. “In your misfortune, in the injustice you suffer, in the feeling of abandonment you experience, you are very close to Jesus. You are close to Him also on this Easter Day when He has conquered the forces of evil, and which resonates for you as a promise of the future.”
The Pope urged the faithful not to lose heart. “Do not lose heart! None of your prayers, none of your acts of solidarity, none of your sighs of weariness that you express is lost: Our Lady of Lebanon keeps everything in her heart and carries it to her Son.”
He concluded by imparting his Apostolic Blessing “to each of you, and all those you love”.
The message was sent against the backdrop of escalating violence in southern Lebanon, where clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah have intensified in recent days. The fighting has directly affected a number of Christian villages along the border, including Debel and nearby Rmeish in the Bint Jbeil district.
According to local reports, two residents of Debel, Georges Soueid and his son Elie, were killed when Israeli gunfire targeted a vehicle travelling on the main road between the villages. The incident has contributed to growing fear among residents, many of whom have remained confined to their homes.
Akl Naddaf, president of the Debel municipal council, told the Lebanese broadcaster LBCI that residents had requested permission from authorities to move safely but had received no response. He said that the situation in the village was deteriorating and that people were struggling to meet basic needs.
Residents have reported that movement outside the village has been severely restricted due to the ongoing clashes in surrounding areas. While there have been no indications that Israeli forces are present in the village itself, the proximity of the fighting has effectively isolated the community.
Although the delivery of aid to Debel was postponed, Church organisations are continuing to coordinate relief efforts for those affected by the violence.
The region has experienced repeated episodes of conflict over recent decades, including the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Civilian communities, including Christian populations, have frequently been caught up in the violence.
