Papal visit gives GCC reason to readopt Lebanon

Lebanon’s success in hosting Pope Leo XIV on his historic first apostolic journey is more than a symbolic achievement. It is a rare diplomatic victory against all odds that, if recognized and leveraged, could generate far-reaching ripple effects across the Middle East.

After more than two years of Lebanon being trapped in a vicious cycle of “guilty until proven innocent,” an extraordinary culmination of humanity, warmth, and even sacred renewal has reintroduced the country to the regional and global map. Long viewed as a high-pressure valve that could explode under the weight of its crises or simply disintegrate from neglect, Lebanon now stands poised to redefine itself as an innovator of high-stakes impact despite limited resources, state fragility, and war.

Gulf Cooperation Council countries may have thought they had their answer to a central question: If Lebanon cannot contain Hezbollah, how can it contribute to a thriving Middle East built on the rejection of violence?

Pope Leo’s visit offered a strikingly different, unexpected answer.

Lebanon proved that it is still capable of securing, organizing, and convening one of the world’s most influential moral authorities, even under extraordinary strain. It demonstrated committed leadership, operational competence, rooted social cohesion, and a depth of interfaith credibility unmatched in the region. Combined, these are far more than symbolic accomplishments: They reintroduce Lebanon to the GCC as a dependable partner worthy of trust and respect.

The GCC needs every Levantine country to step up as a stabilizing node to herald de-escalation and set the foundations for meaningful long-term peace, well beyond opportunistic deal-making. Even under immense strain, Lebanon has preserved the elements of rule of law, civic dialogue, and interfaith coexistence. The country is still one of the few in the region with a constitutionally protected pluralistic system, periodic elections, and a political culture shaped by public accountability. These ingredients are not abstract ideals; they are operational assets that matter for diplomacy, resilience, and conflict resolution.

For the GCC, engaging a country that still possesses these societal foundations offers a rare opportunity to advance de-escalation through institutions and civic actors capable of absorbing shocks, mediating tensions, and anchoring long-term stability.

For the GCC, this moment presents a strategic opening. 

Lynn Zovighian

Pope Leo XIV reminded us of this power at the Lebanese Presidential Palace in Baabda: “Examine your history, and ask yourselves: From where comes that formidable energy that has never left your people downtrodden or without hope? You are a diverse country, a community of communities, united by a common language … I am referring to the language of hope, which has always enabled you to start again.”

In a neighborhood where governance tends to flow from the top down, Lebanon stands out for its sociopolitical character — imperfect, fragile, yet profoundly valuable. Lebanon is geostrategically positioned. Its stability influences refugee flows, maritime cooperation, trade, cross-border security, and global faith diplomacy. The cost of ignoring Lebanon is far greater than the cost of reinvesting in it. This is where a modern Gulf-Lebanon partnership can begin: Recognizing that Lebanon’s fragility does not diminish its value but rather underscores the strategic importance of supporting its stability.

This strategic opening comes at a critical time. Lebanon is heading toward legislative elections that will shape the formation of its next government. Early, well-calibrated GCC engagement — centered on stability, recovery, and resilience — can yield long-awaited outcomes. Supporting Lebanon is no longer about crisis management. Lebanon’s new posture can ensure that the path to peace is embraced with no turning back.

Beyond the papal visit and ahead of elections, Lebanon must now commit to allies and principled leadership, leveraging a historic toolkit that has begun to collect dust. Pope Leo XIV said it himself: “It is a great joy for me to meet with you, and to visit this land where ‘peace' is much more than just a word, for here peace is a desire and a vocation; it is a gift and a work in progress.”

The GCC needs a strategic and principled blueprint to rebuild the region’s most vulnerable states and set the ground for peace once and for all. The rapid emergence of a functional regional diplomatic ecosystem is now time-critical. Lebanon, with its small size, institutional pockets of excellence, and demonstrated ability for global leadership even in crisis, offers the strongest — and swiftest — prospects for a successful pilot.

Should GCC choose to re-engage now, it can help shape not just Lebanon’s recovery but also the architecture and prospects of a more stable Levant. A principled, strategic, and calibrated approach focused on institutions, communities, and moral diplomacy would allow the GCC to model a new kind of regional leadership that privileges prevention over reaction.

As Pope Leo XIV said: “Everyone must do their part, and we must unite our efforts so that this land can return to its former glory.”

For the GCC, this moment presents a strategic opening: Bringing out the best of Lebanon is an invitation to leverage its unique moral diplomacy toolkit to embolden the pathways to peace and help shape a new regional order.

• Lynn Zovighian is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, humanitarian diplomat and opera singer. She is the co-founder of the Zovighian Partnership and founder of the Zovighian Public Office.