Maronite Patriarch
The current Maronite Patriarch is Bechara Boutros al-Rahi. He has served as the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East since his election on March 15, 2011. [1, 2, 3]
As the 77th successor of St. Maron, Cardinal al-Rahi is the spiritual leader of the Maronite Church, an Eastern Catholic church in full communion with the Holy See.
Key Information
- Full Title: His Beatitude Moran Mor Bechara Boutros al-Rahi.
- Cardinalate: He was created a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI on November 24, 2012.
- Role in Lebanon: Beyond his religious duties, he is a central figure in Lebanese public life, frequently advocating for national unity, peace, and the rights of Christians in the Middle East.
- Recent Activity (2026): In early 2026, he issued a strong Lenten message and joined other regional patriarchs in condemning the escalation of conflict in Lebanon, calling for a "logic of law" over the "logic of force".
- Residence: He resides at the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerké, Lebanon.
Seat of the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch
The Maronite Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch (Latin: Patriarchatus Antiochenus Maronitarum) is the seat of the Patriarch of the Maronite Church. It is currently governed by the Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, OMM.
The Maronite Church is one of several churches that lay claim to be the canonical incumbent of the ancient see of St. Peter and St. Paul in Antioch. The Syriac Catholic Church, and the Melkite Greek Catholic Church make the same claim, all of them Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See. The three mutually recognize each other as holding authentic patriarchates. The Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch and the Oriental Orthodox Syriac Orthodox Church claim patriarchates as well. Moreover, the Catholic Church appointed titular Latin rite patriarchs for many centuries, until the office was left vacant in 1953 and abolished in 1964 and all claims renounced.
Territory
The Maronite Patriarchate extends its jurisdiction over all the Maronite faithful wherever they dwell. The seat of the patriarchate is Bkerké in Keserwan District in Lebanon. Dimane (in Bsharri District) is the summer residence of the Patriarch. The Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Joubbé, Sarba and Jounieh is the eparchy of Maronite patriarch. From Patriarchate of Antioch of the Maronites also depend directly · Maronite Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem and Palestine, erected on October 5, 1996, based in Jerusalem; in 2014 they were 504 Catholics distributed in three parishes; · Maronite Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jordan, erected on October 5, 1996, based in Amman; in 2014[needs update] they were 1,000 Catholics in one parish. The Maronite Patriarch is a member by right of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs of the East.