Pope Leo visits Lebanon, the site of Israeli strikes, with a message of peace
Pope Leo called on political leaders in Lebanon on Sunday to prioritize peace in a strong appeal, addressing a nation that continues to face Israeli airstrikes during the second leg of his inaugural overseas trip as the Catholic leader.
Leo, the first U.S. pope, arrived in Beirut following a four-day visit to Turkey, where he cautioned that humanity’s future is jeopardized by the alarming prevalence of violent conflicts and denounced violence carried out in the name of religion.
In a presidential palace chamber filled with politicians and religious leaders from various sects of Lebanon, he commenced his speech by echoing the words of Jesus: “blessed are the peacemakers”.
TRAGIC STRUGGLE
Leo emphasized the importance of Lebanon continuing its peace efforts, even amidst a “highly complex, conflictual and uncertain” regional landscape, during a speech that was attended by President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and other leaders.
“In our country and in our region, there is significant suffering and many individuals in distress,” Aoun stated, emphasizing that Lebanon is a nation “where Christians and Muslims coexist, distinct yet equal.”
In the hours leading up to Leo’s arrival, throngs of people assembled along the routes from the airport to the presidential palace, brandishing Lebanese and Vatican flags.
Lebanon, home to the largest Christian population in the Middle East, has been significantly affected by the fallout from the Gaza conflict, as Israel engaged in warfare with the Lebanese Shi’ite Muslim militant group Hezbollah, leading to a catastrophic Israeli offensive.
“We hope he can instill peace in the hearts of politicians, allowing us to live a comfortable life in Lebanon,” stated Randa Sahyoun, a Lebanese woman residing in Qatar who returned home for the pope’s visit.
Leo expressed that it requires determination to establish peace, noting that “the dedication and affection for peace are fearless in the presence of seeming failure”.
Leaders in Lebanon, home to 1 million Syrian and Palestinian refugees and grappling with the aftermath of years of economic crisis, are concerned that Israel may significantly intensify its strikes in the months ahead.
Israel asserts that its ongoing strikes since the ceasefire agreement last year aim to thwart Hezbollah’s efforts to rebuild military capabilities and to mitigate any renewed threat to communities in northern Israel.
On Friday, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem expressed his hope that Leo’s visit would contribute to ending the Israeli attacks. Mohammad Raad, the highest-ranking member of parliament from Hezbollah, was present at Leo’s speech.
HECTIC TIMETABLE
The papal trip has been embraced by Lebanon’s diverse communities, with prominent Druze cleric Sheikh Sami Abi al-Muna expressing that Lebanon “needs the glimmer of hope represented by this visit”.
He arrived at the palace in the enclosed popemobile, navigating through heavy rain as crowds gathered under white umbrellas, cheering enthusiastically. A welcome band performed a traditional dance, rhythmically beating large drums.
Leo, previously a relative unknown on the global scene, is now under scrutiny as he delivers his inaugural speeches abroad and engages with individuals beyond predominantly Catholic Italy for the first time.
Leo, at 70 and enjoying good health, has a packed schedule in Lebanon, exploring five cities and towns from Sunday to Tuesday, when he heads back to Rome. Leo will refrain from traveling to the south, the area affected by Israeli strikes, and he did not reference Israel in his speech.
He has planned a prayer at the location of the 2020 chemical explosion at the Beirut port, which resulted in the loss of 200 lives and inflicted billions in damages.
He will also conduct an outdoor Mass on the Beirut waterfront and visit a psychiatric hospital, one of the limited mental health facilities in Lebanon, where caregivers and residents are eagerly looking forward to his arrival.
