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Pope Leo XIV landed in Lebanon on Sunday following a visit to Türkiye, delivering a message of peace and reconciliation to a nation grappling with economic crisis and regional instability.
The Vatican head of state arrived at Beirut International Airport where he was received by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawwaf Salam, and military officials in a formal welcoming ceremony. He then traveled to the Baabda Presidential Palace east of Beirut, greeting crowds of citizens who gathered along the route.
During meetings with Lebanese political leaders and civil society representatives at the palace, Pope Leo XIV emphasized Lebanon's unique role as a meeting ground for different faiths while acknowledging the country's struggles with what he called a "deadly economy" and the destabilizing effects of regional conflicts.
President Aoun welcomed the pontiff to "this country small in size but large in mission" and stressed that protecting Lebanon represented a humanitarian duty. He warned that the disappearance of Christianity from Lebanon would undermine the country's balance and justice, while the loss of Islam would disrupt equilibrium and erode moderation.
The president cautioned that if Lebanon were to lose its function or undergo a change in identity, it could lead to increased extremism and violence both regionally and globally. He described Lebanon as the only common ground where adherents of different faiths in the region and world can come together.
In his address, Pope Leo XIV told assembled officials and guests he was filled with joy to visit "these lands where peace is more than just a word." He reminded Lebanese leaders of Jesus's teaching: "Blessed are the peacemakers."
The pope acknowledged Lebanon's diversity and struggles, saying the nation has suffered greatly from economic devastation, global instability's destructive effects in the East, extremism, identity conflicts, wars, and tensions. "Yet despite all this, you have always wanted to start again, and you have succeeded," he said, noting that the common language uniting Lebanon's various communities is the language of hope.
Pope Leo XIV observed that while major decisions are often made by very few people, healing personal and collective wounds requires many years and sometimes generations. He emphasized that building peace demands patience.
The papal visit is scheduled to last three days, during which Pope Leo XIV will participate in religious ceremonies and meetings in Beirut and surrounding areas. The trip follows his recent visit to Türkiye, from where he departed before arriving in the Lebanese capital.
Lebanon, a small Mediterranean nation, has faced severe economic collapse in recent years alongside political paralysis and the spillover effects of regional conflicts. The country's confessional political system allocates power among Christian and Muslim communities, a delicate balance that leaders often cite as both a strength and source of vulnerability.
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