Pope Leo XIV, concluding his inaugural apostolic journey abroad, returned to Rome on Tuesday after a six-day trip that began in Turkey and culminated in a significant visit to Lebanon. Before departing Beirut, the head of the world’s Catholics made a fervent appeal for an end to hostilities in Lebanon and called for “new approaches” for peace across the Middle East.
Key Messages from Lebanon
The 70-year-old US pontiff received a jubilant welcome in Lebanon, a nation struggling under a years-long economic collapse and still recovering from last year’s war between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah.
- Appeal for Peace: The Pope expressed his “aspiration for peace, along with a heartfelt appeal: may the attacks and hostilities cease.” He noted that Israel has continued launching strikes despite a November 2024 ceasefire with Hezbollah.
- Mass Message: During the highlight of his trip—a 150,000-strong mass held at the Beirut waterfront—Pope Leo directly addressed those in power: “Listen to the cry of your peoples who are calling for peace.” He urged the Middle East to reject the “mindset of revenge and violence, to overcome political, social and religious divisions, and to open new chapters in the name of reconciliation and peace.”
- Dialogue is Key: As he prepared to depart from Beirut airport, the Pope declared: “While weapons are lethal, negotiation, mediation and dialogue are constructive. Let us all choose peace as a way, not just as a goal!”
Mourning the Beirut Port Blast Victims
A deeply moving moment of the visit was the Pope’s silent prayer at the site of the catastrophic August 4, 2020, port explosion that killed more than 220 people and injured over 6,500.
- Thirst for Justice: Near a monument to the victims, with the devastated grain silos visible, the Pope spoke with survivors and relatives. He later said he carried with him “the pain, and the thirst for truth and justice, of so many families, of an entire country.”
- Victims’ Gratitude: Relatives and survivors, like lawyer Cecile Roukoz, expressed gratitude that the Pope spoke up for the victims, especially since nobody has been held accountable for the world’s largest non-nuclear explosion.
Future Travel Plans
Aboard the papal plane en route to Rome, Pope Leo XIV spoke to journalists and revealed his hope for his next international journey.
- Africa and Algeria: He stated that he “hope[s] to make a trip to Africa, which would possibly be my next trip to confirm.” He specifically mentioned hoping to visit Algeria “to visit the places where St Augustine lived.”
- Latin America: He also named Latin America, specifically mentioning Argentina and Uruguay, as possible future destinations.