Pope Leo plans to visit Lebanon, the country's top Catholic official announced on Wednesday, in what could be the first visit outside Italy by the new leader of the global Church.
The pope will travel to Lebanon "until December," Cardinal Bechara Rai told the al-Arabiya TV channel.
Rai, the leader of the 3.5 million-member Maronite Catholic Church, did not give a specific date for the visit, but said that "preparations are already underway".
A Lebanese official familiar with the matter confirmed that discussions were underway for a visit towards the end of the year, although a date had not yet been finalised.
Leon, the first American pope, was chosen by the world's Catholic cardinals on May 8 to replace the late Pope Francis, who had planned to visit Lebanon but could not go due to health problems.
Lebanon is home to more than two million Catholics, according to Vatican statistics.
A Vatican official, who asked not to be identified, confirmed that a trip was being planned and said it could be part of a tour that would also include Turkey.