By Maya Gebeily and Emilie Madi RMEISH, Lebanon (Reuters) -After decades of conflict, residents of the Christian town of Rmeich in Lebanon's war-battered south hope Pope Leo's upcoming trip to their country will bring peace - and the strength to stay as the region's Christian communities dwindle.

Leo XIV will meet political and religious leaders in Turkey and Lebanon, providing an early test of his geopolitical mettle. Here’s what to know. By Motoko Rich Motoko Rich, the Rome bureau chief, is traveling with the pope to Turkey and Lebanon.

Pope Leo’s choice making Lebanon his first pastoral visit after marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in Turkey – underscores the importance the Vatican places on its influential Catholic community in the Middle East, Catholic leaders said of the Nov. 30-Dec. 2 papal trip.

Anticipation is building across Lebanon as the country prepares to welcome Pope Leo XIV next week. The visit is not without precedent, however. Lebanon has received two other popes in recent history — John Paul II in 1997 and Benedict XVI in 2012. Both trips are remembered as milestones in a nation marked by conflict and resilience.

Lebanon is a country where crosses rise from mountaintops, rooftops and street corners, and Christian symbols are woven into everyday life. The upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV highlights the depth of Christianity’s roots in this small Mediterranean nation,

Security Council officials will then travel to Beirut on December 5, heading south the next day to meet peacekeepers with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is set to leave the country by the end of 2027 after serving as a buffer between Lebanon and Israel since 1978.

Tourism contributed $268.6 million to the Lebanon County economy alone in 2024, according to the PA Tourism Economics Report.

Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to Lebanon has reignited optimism among a population battered by war, economic collapse, and political instability. His trip — the first abroad since his election — includes interfaith dialogue and a silent prayer at the Beirut port explosion site.