Lebanese priest killed

What had become a symbol of persistence turned into a scene of martyrdom, when a Catholic parish priest was killed in an Israeli strike that hit the border village of Qlayaa in southern Lebanon. Father Pierre Al Rahi, who had chosen to remain with his parishioners, died alongside the community he refused to abandon. According to local media reports, Hezbollah militants infiltrated the Christian town, turning it into a target for Israeli airstrikes. Residents alerted Father Rahi, who reportedly went to confront them and ask them to leave the village. The strike that killed him occurred around the same time. Pope Leo, who had just visited Lebanon in December 2025, called the Maronite Catholic Priest Killed in Bombing ‘a True Shepherd.’ In Arabic, ‘El Rahi’ means ‘the shepherd,’ Pope Leo said ‘Father Pierre was a true shepherd, who always remained close to his people, with the love and sacrifice of Jesus the Good Shepherd. As soon as he heard that some parishioners had been wounded by a bombing, he rushed to help them without hesitation. May the Lord grant that the blood he shed be a seed of peace for beloved Lebanon.’ In his appeal, Leo also called for prayers for peace in Iran and throughout the Middle East, especially for the many civilian victims, including many innocent children. May our prayer be a comfort to those who suffer and a seed of hope for the future.