Abeer Nehme channels clerical elegance for Pope Leo XIV performance in Beirut

Singing in Aramaic, the former TN magazine cover star chose Lebanese designer Krikor Jabotian to dress her for the momentous occasion

Abeer Nehme on the cover of TN Magazine in October. Photo: Lara Zankoul

Lebanese singer Abeer Nehme wore a cream trouser suit with a floor-length cape by Lebanese-Armenian designer Krikor Jabotian for her performance for Pope Leo XIV in Beirut on Tuesday. Matching the white robes of the numerous clergy sharing the stage with her, Nehme completed the look with a masculine cummerbund along with a high-necked top and piecrust collar that echoed the neck ruff, or frill, historically worn by the clergy. A dark red brooch on her lapel offered a pop of colour.

The performance was part of the Pope's third and final day in Lebanon, which marked his first overseas trip since being elected in May. It was held at Beirut Waterfront in front of an estimated crowd of 150,000. The Pope also prayed at the site of the Beirut blast of August 4, 2020.

Nehme, famous for her versatility as a singer and composer, sang The Lord's Prayer for the Pope in Aramaic, the language of Christian religious texts and liturgical services. Aramaic was the language of Galilee, which extended from modern-day Palestine to southern Lebanon. While still spoken in some regions of Turkey, Syrian, Iraq and Iran, Aramaic is now regarded as an endangered language.

Jabotian has dressed Nehme many times over the course of her career, often creating unique looks that adhere to her modest, classic style. For the singer's Dubai Opera show in November 2024, for example, he dressed her in a custom-made strapless red gown, with a long, off-the-shoulder bolero jacket in bone-white faille silk.

As the cover star of the October issue of TN magazine, Nehme spoke with The National's Saeed Saeed about the importance of remaining true to herself, whether singing pop or classical. “Each style requires a way of singing,” she said. “I cannot sing a pop song in a tarab style, nor the opposite.

“But whatever I sing, people must know it is me. Each song takes you somewhere … it is like cooking, everything needs the right spices. Less salt, more salt, but it has to taste like you.”

Abeer Nehme wearing Ferragamo for TN magazine. Photo: Lara Zankoul

She also spoke about the curative power of music. “Music is a language of healing, humanity and, ultimately, of dialogue. How beautiful that you deliver this just by opening your mouth and singing melodies that can touch people no matter where they are in the world.”