BEIRUT – In a historic culmination of his first international pilgrimage, Pope Leo XIV delivered a stirring appeal for national reconciliation to Lebanon’s fractured communities during a massive waterfront mass attended by approximately 150,000 faithful.
The pontiff’s three-day visit, which began in Turkey before concluding in Lebanon, transformed into a diplomatic mission addressing the nation’s profound political paralysis, economic collapse, and sectarian divisions. Speaking before a diverse audience comprising Lebanon’s highest officials, international visitors, and migrant workers, Leo emphasized that “armed struggle brings no benefit” while championing negotiation and dialogue as constructive alternatives.
The emotional apex of the journey occurred earlier at Beirut’s port, where the Pope conducted a solemn memorial at the site of the catastrophic 2020 chemical explosion that killed 220 people. After laying a floral wreath and lighting a lamp amidst the haunting backdrop of ruined grain silos, he comforted 60 survivors and bereaved relatives, presenting each with a rosary while acknowledging their ongoing pursuit of justice.
“I carry with me the pain, and the thirst for truth and justice, of so many families, of an entire country,” the pontiff reflected before departing.
The visit produced striking moments of symbolic unity as Hezbollah’s al-Mahdi Scouts joined multireligious crowds in welcoming the Pope with Vatican flags alongside portraits of their slain leader Hassan Nasrallah. Despite the festive atmosphere in Beirut’s southern suburbs—heavily damaged during recent conflicts—Israeli military operations continued unabated in southern Lebanon, underscoring the urgent need for intervention that residents had hoped the papal visit might inspire.
In his final address, Pope Leo specifically encouraged Levantine Christians to remain “artisans of peace” while calling upon the international community to intensify reconciliation efforts across the Middle East.