Lebanon makes Vatican 2019 pilgrimage list

The Vatican will authorize official pilgrimage visits to Lebanon in 2019, Lebanese Charge d’Affaires in Vatican City and UNESCO Ambassador Khalil Karam told the country’s officials, according to the state-run National News Agency Friday.

The decision will put Lebanon back on the list of official Roman Catholic Church pilgrimage destinations, issued annually by the Holy See, for the first time in 12 years, the NNA reported.

The move is expected to increase religious tourism to Lebanon, as thousands of Christian pilgrims from around the world follow the list to decide their destination.

During his two-day Vatican visit in March 2017, President Michel Aoun discussed the potential move with officials at the Holy See, although statements released at the time by the President’s office did not draw attention to the topic.

Karam had also been carrying on the discussions with the Vatican’s Department dealing with Pilgrimage matters, and has reportedly demonstrated an audiovisual presentation on the possibility of religious pilgrimage in Lebanon, showcasing hotels and facilities suitable for pilgrims.