Statement from the ACT Alliance Lebanon Forum to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV
Your Holiness,
On behalf of the ACT Alliance Lebanon Forum and its members —Norwegian Church Aid, DanChurchAid, Diakonia, Middle East Council of Churches, Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER), the Joint Christian Committee, the Compassion Protestant Society, and Act Church of Sweden—we express our deep gratitude for your blessed visit to Lebanon during this critical moment in our nation’s history. Considering Lebanon among the first Apostolic Journey outside of the Vatican is an honor.
Lebanon continues to endure immense suffering as the war devastates communities, disrupts lives, and deepens an already severe humanitarian emergency. Families across the country are struggling under the pressures of displacement, economic collapse, deteriorating services, and daily insecurity. Guided by our Christian mission and humanitarian principles, the ACT members in Lebanon remain committed to supporting all communities in need with shelter, medical assistance, psychosocial support, protection services, and essential humanitarian aid.
We particularly appeal to Your Holiness to hold in your prayers the people of the South of Lebanon, who today still bear the heaviest burden. Entire communities have been uprooted, livelihoods destroyed, and civilians—including children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities—are living in constant fear as hostilities continue. Many of them have not been able to return to their homes since the ceasefire agreement more than a year ago. Their suffering must not be forgotten.
Your global moral voice carries profound influence. We humbly ask you to continue praying for the protection of all civilians, and renewed international solidarity with Lebanon and its most vulnerable communities. Your message of peace, dignity, and compassion is urgently needed.
May your presence in Lebanon restore hope, strengthen resilience, interfaith dialogue and remind the world that this country—its people —deserves peace and lasting justice.
With deep respect,
ACT Alliance Lebanon Forum Members
