Amidst the national enthusiasm that accompanied the historic visit of Pope Leo XIV to Lebanon, the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers expressed its opinion, considering this visit a crucial turning point that comes at a very important time for the country.
In a statement to , the head of the federation, النقيب مارون الخولي (Naqib Maroun El Khouli), explained that the Pope’s arrival carries implications beyond mere protocol, bearing a deeper meaning related to peace, social justice, and the preservation of human dignity.
He said: “The Pope’s visit to Lebanon under the slogan ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ is not just a symbolic stop, but a message of moral support that comes at a time when the Lebanese are facing suffocating security, social, and economic crises.”
El Khouli believes that the presence of the head of the Catholic Church among the Lebanese reaffirms that true peace begins with the application of justice, and that the human being must be the basic pillar of any political or economic project.
He stated that the workers in Lebanon see this visit as a ray of hope, especially after the working class was the first to be affected by the economic deterioration.
He also pointed out that the humanitarian and economic positions constantly expressed by the Pope represent a source of inspiration for trade unionists in their quest to demand a just and transparent state that protects the rights of citizens, especially the most vulnerable groups.
Likewise, El Khouli expressed his thanks to the Maronite Church and the Presidency of the Republic for the efforts made to make this visit a success, considering that the coordination between these two institutions represents an example to be followed for joint national action in this critical stage.
He affirmed that Lebanon, with its religious and cultural diversity, is in dire need today to consolidate the message of peace carried by the Pope, and to international support that preserves this distinguished model in the region. He said: “Lebanon is not just a geographical area, but a message of coexistence and human dignity, and His Holiness’s visit comes to affirm this fact.”
In conclusion, El Khouli reiterated the General Confederation of Labor’s appreciation for the Pope’s positions “supportive of humanitarian issues and the rights of peoples,” welcoming his arrival to “his second homeland, Lebanon,” considering this visit “a point of light in the path of a country that still believes that peace is the only way to a better future.”
