In a message released on April 7, 2026, by the Vatican press office, the Pope's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, expressed Pope Leo XIV's "paternal closeness and tenderness" to Christians in Southern Lebanon for Easter.
The Pope expressed his "paternal closeness and tenderness" to the residents of Debel, a Maronite village surrounded by the Israeli military.
Addressing the residents of Debel in particular, the Vatican Secretary of State highlighted the "dramatic circumstances" locals are facing. The Israeli army has completely surrounded the village, and Israeli fire killed a father and son there in late March.
The Pontiff "extends his message of consolation and compassion" to all Christians in Southern Lebanon, Cardinal Parolin wrote, assuring the Holy Father's hopes that "despite the feelings of sorrow, anguish, and mourning," Lebanese faithful can experience "deep joy" while celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.
'You are very close to Jesus'
"In your misfortune, in the injustice you suffer, in the feeling of abandonment you experience, you are very close to Jesus," the Italian cardinal wrote on behalf of Pope Leo XIV. By rising from the dead, God "conquered the forces of evil," he noted. This victory "resonates for you as a promise for the future."
"Therefore, do not lose heart!" he urged, assuring the residents that their prayers aren't in vain. Finally, he stated that Pope Leo XIV imparts his apostolic blessing to the people of the village.
Vatican News reports that the message was intended to be hand-delivered by Archbishop Paolo Borgia, the local Apostolic Nuncio, along with three trucks of humanitarian aid. Unfortunately, the trip was unable to take place due to “ongoing Israeli attacks in the area.” The Nuncio read the message on Lebanese television instead.
Trapped by the conflict
Located nearly four miles from the Israeli border, the population of Debel consists of an overwhelming majority of Maronite Catholics.
Wikipedia
The Israel Defense Forces ordered evacuations in the region to prepare for a ground offensive against Hezbollah in early March, in the context of the American/Israeli war with Iraq and its allies (Hezbollah being the most prominent). Despite these warnings, around 1,700 Christians reportedly stayed in Debel. At the time, some noted that they had nowhere to go and were unsure if they would ever be able to return. Recent reports indicate that Israeli forces have now surrounded the village.
On March 28, Israeli gunfire killed a father and his son as they tried to leave the village to get food in a neighboring town.
On April 5, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun renewed his request to negotiate directly with Israel. He hopes to prevent the southern part of the Land of the Cedars from being completely ravaged by war.
