Matteo Bruni

Good afternoon, Your Holiness. Good afternoon, everyone! Thank you for joining us here for a meeting with you. Thank you for these days we have been able to spend following your journey through the two countries that you have visited. Regarding the last country, Lebanon, there are some questions from journalists, but first I would like to say a few words. There is a journalist who has worked for many years covering the Holy See, the Vatican, and the Pope, and who is retiring in December: Cindy Wooden, who works with CNS. The relationship has been invaluable and friendly throughout all these years.

As for the questions, the first one is from a Lebanese journalist, unless you would like to say a few words first...

Pope Leo XIV

Just one thought. Good afternoon to everyone. First of all, I want to say thank you to all of you who have worked so hard. I would like you to pass on this message also to the other journalists, both in Türkiye and in Lebanon, who have worked to communicate the important messages of this journey. You too all deserve a big round of applause for your work! Thank you. Thank you.

Matteo Bruni

The first question is from Joseph Farchakh from Lebanese Public Television (LBC International).

Joseph Farchakh - Lebanese Public Television (LBC International)

First of all, thank you so much for granting us this opportunity as the only Lebanese media to accompany you on your first foreign trip. Before my question, this is a gift from the LBCI family. It was drawn live on TV while you were moving from one stop to the other. This is you, and these are the different stops. You can see Our Lady of Lebanon, Saint Charbel, the Beirut Port, every stop, every notable stop.So really, we thank you so much for blessing us with this opportunity. On the back you can find a heartfelt appreciation by our Chairman of the Board and his wife — Pierre and Randa Daher — they are really thankful for this opportunity. It was painted live on air while you were moving from one stop to another. Back to my question, Your Holiness. You are an American Pope leading a peace process; you are on a peace mission in the region. My question is: Will you use your connections with President Donald Trump, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and you stated on the plane before that the Vatican is friends with Israel? Will you raise the need to halt Israeli aggressions against Lebanon? Is sustainable peace achievable in the region?

Pope Leo XIV

First of all, yes, I believe sustainable peace is achievable. I think that when we talk about hope, and we talk about peace, and we look to the future, we do so because I believe it is possible that peace once again come to the region and come to your country, to Lebanon. In fact, I have already, in a very small way, begun a few conversations with some of the leaders of places that you have mentioned and I would intend to continue to do that, personally or through the Holy See; because the fact is that we do have diplomatic relationships with most of the countries through the region, and it would be our hope certainly, to continue to raise that call for peace that I spoke of at the very end of the Mass today.

Matteo Bruni

Thank you, Your Holiness, the next question is from Imad Atrach from Sky News Arabia.

Imad Atrach - Sky News Arabia

Your Holiness, I am Lebanese, so I will speak in Italian, if I may. Your Holiness, in your last speech, which I think was very important, there was a clear message to the Lebanese authorities to negotiate. To negotiate, to dialogue, to build. Will the Vatican do something concrete in this regard? Last night you also met a Shia representative. Before your visit, Hezbollah sent you a message. I don’t know if you received it, if you read it. What could you tell us about this? Thank you very much for having visited Lebanon, it was a dream for us.

Pope Leo XIV

Thank you. This is one aspect of this journey that we could say was not the main reason — because the trip itself was organized thinking about ecumenical affairs, the topic of Nicaea, the meeting with Catholic and Orthodox Patriarchs and seeking unity in the Church. But in fact, during this trip I have also had personal encounters with representatives of different groups who represent political authorities, people or groups who have something to do with the internal conflicts or even international conflicts in the region. Our work is not primarily something public that we proclaim in the streets; it is somewhat behind the scenes. It is something we have already done and will continue to do in order to convince the parties to lay down their arms, to abandon violence, and to come together at the table of dialogue to seek answers and solutions that are not violent but can be more effective and better for the people.

Imad Atrach - Sky News Arabia

Have you seen Hezbollah’s message?

Pope Leo XIV

Yes, I have seen it. Clearly, the Church is proposing that they lay down their arms and that we seek dialogue. But I would prefer not to comment further in this context.

Matteo Bruni

Thank you, Your Holiness. The next question is from Cindy Wooden from CNS (Catholic News Service).

Cindy Wooden - CNS

Holy Father, you said a couple of months ago that there is a learning curve to being Pope. When you arrived at Harissa yesterday, with the warm welcome, it looked like you said “wow.” Can you tell us what you are learning? What is the most difficult thing to learn for you in being Pope? And you haven’t told us anything either about what it felt like in the Conclave when it became clear what was happening. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

Pope Leo XIV

Well, my first comment would be that just a year or two ago, I too thought about retiring someday. You have received that gift apparently. Some of us will continue to work.

The Conclave itself, I believe very strictly about the secret of the Conclave, even though I know that there have been public interviews where some things were revealed. I said to a reporter the day before I was elected, she caught me on the street as I was going to lunch across the street at the Augustinians, and she said “what do you think? You’ve become one of the candidates!” And I simply said “everything is in the hands of God.” And I believe that profoundly. One of you — there is a German journalist on here who said to me the other day, tell me one book, besides Saint Augustine, that we could read to understand who Prevost is. And there’s several I thought of, but one of them is a book called “The Practice of the Presence of God.” It’s a very simple book, by someone who doesn’t even give his last name, Brother Lawrence. I read it many years ago. But it describes, if you will, a type of prayer and spirituality where one simply gives his life to the Lord and allows the Lord to lead. If you want to know something about me, that’s been my spirituality for many years. In midst of great challenges, living in Peru during years of terrorism, being called to service in places where I never thought I would be called to serve. I trust in God and that message is something that I share with all people. So what was it like? I resigned myself to the fact when I saw how things were going, and I said that this could be a reality. I took a deep breath, I said, “Here we go Lord, you’re in charge, and you lead the way.”

[Cindy Wooden repeats the first part of the question.]

Pope Leo XIV

I don’t know that I said “wow” last night. In the sense…my face is very expressive — but I’m oftentimes amused by how the journalists interpret my face. Seriously, I mean it’s interesting. Sometimes I get, you know, like really great ideas from all of you, because you think you can read my mind or my face. And it’s not — you’re not always correct. I mean, I was at the Jubilee for Youth where there were over 1 million young people. Last night was a small crowd. It’s always marvellous to me. I mean, I think to myself these people are here because they want to see the Pope, but I say to myself they are here because they want to see Jesus Christ, and they want to see a messenger of peace, in this case in particular. So to just listen to their enthusiasm, and to hear their response to that message is something that I think is — that enthusiasm is awe-inspiring. I just hope I never get tired of appreciating everything that all these young people are showing.

Matteo Bruni

Thank you, Your Holiness. The next question is from Gian Guido Vecchi, Corriere della Sera.

Gian Guido Vecchi – Corriere della Sera

These are hours of great tension between NATO and Russia; there is talk of hybrid war, prospects of cyberattacks, and things of this kind. Do you see the risk of an escalation, of a conflict carried forward with new means as reported by NATO leaders? And, in this climate, can there be negotiations for a just peace without Europe, which in recent months has been systematically excluded by the American Administration?

Pope Leo XIV

This is obviously an important issue for peace in the world, but the Holy See is not directly involved because we are not members of NATO nor of any of the discussions so far, even though many times we have called for a ceasefire, for dialogue and not war. It is now a war with many facets: the increase of arms, all the production that is going on, cyber attacks, energy. Now that winter is coming, there is also a very serious issue there. It is clear that, on the one hand, the President of the United States thinks he can promote a peace plan that he would like to implement and that, at least initially, did not include Europe. However, Europe's presence is in fact important, and that initial proposal was modified partly because of what Europe was saying. Specifically, I think that Italy's role could be very important. Precisely, we can say culturally and historically, Italy has the ability to be an intermediary in a conflict that exists between different parties. Also Ukraine, obviously Russia, the United States… In this sense, I would suggest that the Holy See could also encourage this type of mediation and that we seek together a solution that could truly offer peace, a just peace, in this case in Ukraine. Thank you!

Matteo Bruni

Thank you, Your Holiness! The next question is from Elisabetta Piqué, from La Nación. She is also here up front.

Elisabetta Piqué - La Nación

Thank you, Your Holiness, above all for this first international trip. The Lebanese flag has the same colors as the flag of Peru. Is that a sign that you will be making a visit to Latin America in the second half of next year, combining it with Argentina and Uruguay which were left pending? Leaving the jokes aside, we wanted to ask you what trips you are preparing for the coming year? And, furthermore, speaking of Latin America, there is a great deal of tension because of what is happening in Venezuela. President Trump has issued an ultimatum to Maduro to resign, to leave power, and has threatened to overthrow him through a military operation. We wanted to ask you what you think about this. Thank you.

Pope Leo XIV

As for trips, there is nothing truly certain. I hope to make a trip to Africa. That would possibly be the next journey.

Elisabetta Piqué

Where?

Pope Leo XIV

Africa. Africa. Personally, I hope to go to Algeria to visit the places of Saint Augustine, but also in order to continue the conversation of dialogue, of building bridges between the Christian world and the Muslim world. In the past, in another role, I have already had the opportunity to speak about this topic. It is interesting that the figure of Saint Augustine helps a great deal as a bridge, because in Algeria he is very much respected as a son of the homeland. That is one. Then there are some other countries, but we are working on it. Obviously, I would like to visit Latin America. Argentina and Uruguay are waiting for the Pope’s visit. I think Peru would also welcome me, and if I go to Peru there would also be many neighboring countries, but the plan is not yet defined.

Elisabetta Piqué

26 or 27?

Pope Leo XIV

26 or 27, we are still looking into it.

Elisabetta Piqué

Thank you.

Pope Leo XIV

Regarding Venezuela, with the help of the Bishops’ Conference and the Nuncio, we are trying to find a way to calm the situation, seeking above all the good of the people, because in these situations it is often the people who suffer, not the authorities. The voices from the United States change, and sometimes fairly frequently. We will have to wait and see. On the one hand, it seems that there has been a phone conversation between the two Presidents. On the other hand, there is a danger, a possibility that action could be taken, even an operation or invading Venezuelan territory. I don’t know more about it and, again, I think it is better to seek ways to dialogue: perhaps some form of pressure, even economic pressure, but looking for another way to bring about change, if that is what the United States decides to do.

Matteo Bruni

Thank you, Elisabetta. Your Holiness, there is another question from Mikael Corre from La Croix.

Mikael Corre - La Croix

Hello, Your Holiness. Thank you for this very interesting trip. You just talked about continuing to build bridge between different worlds, and I would like to ask. Some Catholics in Europe believe that Islam is a threat to a Christian identity of the West. Are they right, and what would you say to them?

Pope Leo XIV

All of the conversations that I had during my time, both in Türkiye and in Lebanon, including with many Muslims, were precisely concentrated on the topic of peace and respect for people of different religions. I know, as a matter of fact, that has not always been the case. I know that in Europe there are many times fears that are present, but oftentimes generated by people who are against immigration and trying to keep out people who may be from another country, another religion, another race. And in that sense I would say that we all need to work together. One of the values of this trip is precisely to raise the world’s attention to the possibility that dialogue and friendship between Muslims and Christians is possible. I think one of the great lessons that Lebanon can teach to the world is precisely showing a land where Islam and Christianity are both present and are respected, and that there is a possibility to live together, to be friends. Stories, testimonies and witnesses that we heard even in the past two days of people helping each other, Christians with Muslims, both of whom had had their villages destroyed, for example, were saying that we can come together and work together. I think those are the lessons that would be important also to be heard in Europe or North America. That we should perhaps be a little less fearful and look for ways of promoting authentic dialogue and respect.

Matteo Bruni

The next question is from the journalist from ARD Radio, Anna Giordan.

Anna Giordano - ARD Radio

The Church in Lebanon is supported also by the German Church. There are, for example, some German aid agencies very active in Lebanon. So from that point of view, it is important that the German Church has to be strong. So you probably know, that there is this Synodal Way, we call it Synodaler Weg, a process of change in the German Church going on. Do you think this process can be a way to strengthen the Church in Germany? Or is it the other way around? And why?

Pope Leo XIV

The Synodal Way is not unique to Germany, the whole Church has celebrated a synod and synodality over the past several years. There are some great similarities but there are also some marked differences between how the Synodaler Weg in Germany has been carried forward and how it may well continue in the universal Church. On the one hand, I would say there is room certainly for respect for inculturation. The fact that in one place synodality is lived in a certain way and in another place it is lived differently does not mean that there will be rupture or a fracture. I think that is very important to remember. At the same time, I am aware that many Catholics in Germany believe that certain aspects of the Synodal Way, that has been celebrated in Germany up until now, do not represent their own hope for the Church or their own way of living the Church. So there is need for further dialogue and listening within Germany itself, so that no one’s voice is excluded, so that the voice of those who are more powerful does not silence or stifle the voice of those who might also be very numerous but don’t have a place to speak up and to allow their own voices and own expressions of Church participation to be listened to. At the same time, as you know, I am sure, the group of German bishops has been meeting, for the last couple of years, with a group of the cardinals from the Roman Curia. There is an ongoing process there as well, to try and make sure the German Synodal Way does not, if you will, break away from what needs to be considered as the pathway of the universal Church. I’m sure that will continue. I suspect there will be some adjustments made on both sides in Germany but I’m certainly hopefully that things will work out positively.

Matteo Bruni

Thank you, Your Holiness. Thank you, Anna. The last question, Your Holiness, is from Rita El-Mounayer (Sat-7 International), another journalist from the area of Lebanon.

Rita El-Mounayer - Sat-7 International

We are four different Christian channels broadcasting in the Middle East and North Africa, two in Arabic, one in Farsi and one in Turkish. First of all, I would like to thank you for taking time for the Lebanese people. I am myself a child of war and I know how much it means to have a hug from Your Holiness, a tap on the shoulder, and saying, “Everything is going to be ok.” And what struck me is your motto, Your Holiness, it says “in the one we are one.” This motto speaks of building bridges between different Christian denominations, between religions and, also, between neighbors, that sometimes can be a bit difficult. So my question is, from your own perspective, what unique gift does the Church in the Middle East — with all its tears, wounds, challenges and past history — have to offer to the Church in the West and the world?

Pope Leo XIV

Let me preface my response by saying that today people who grew up in a very individualistic society — young people who passed a very significant amount of time during the pandemic because of COVID, and whose personal relationships are oftentimes very isolated, in reality because they are only through computer screens or smartphones — they ask sometimes “Why should we want to be one? I am an individual and I don’t care about others.” And I think there is a very important message here to say to all people that unity, friendship, human relationships, communion are extremely important and extremely valuable. If for no other reason than the example you mentioned about someone who has lived through war or has suffered and is in pain — what an embrace can mean to them, what that very human, real, healthy expression of personal care can do to heal the heart of someone else. On a personal level that can become, if you will, a common level, a community level that unites all of us, and helps us understand that respect for one another goes far beyond “you keep your distance, I’ll stay here, and you stay there and we’ll have no interaction.” But it means building up relationships that will enrich all people. With that message, certainly, my motto is primarily because of Christ. “In illo” is “in Christ who is One we are all one.” But it is not defined, if you will, only for Christians. And as a matter of fact it is an invitation to all of us and to others to say, the more we can promote authentic unity and understanding, respect and human relationships of friendship and dialogue in the world, the greater possibility there is that we will put aside the arms of war, that we will leave aside the distrust, the hatred, the animosity that has so often been built up, and that we will find ways to come together and be able to promote authentic peace and justice throughout the world.

Matteo Bruni

Thank you, Your Holiness. Thank you for this response and for all your responses. Thank you for your availability during this trip.

Pope Leo XIV

Have a good trip and thank you all!

Matteo Bruni

Thank you!