Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV is expected to travel to Lebanon before the end of the year on his first international trip.
Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai, patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church, said in an interview that Leo would visit Lebanon "sometime between now and December."
"The visit will happen after a decision from the Vatican about when it will take place, so until now it's not yet determined. But preparations for the visit are underway, though the exact timing is still unknown, waiting for the Vatican to announce it," Rai said.
There has been no official announcement from the Vatican about the international trip yet
Archbishop Paul Sayah, deputy to Lebanon's highest-ranking Catholic leader, told BBC that a trip to Lebanon would be an important visit for the pope.
