Beirut: A solemn vigil held on Sunday night marked five years since the devastating explosion that ripped through Beirut’s port on August 4, 2020. The tragic blast claimed 245 lives, injured over 6,000 people, and left an indelible scar on Lebanon’s capital. As the Lebanese people gathered in prayer and remembrance, a message from Pope Leo XIV, delivered by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Paolo Borgia, expressed the Church’s unwavering closeness to the grieving families and the wounded nation.
The vigil unfolded in Karantina, near the Church of Notre-Dame de la Délivrance one of the areas worst affected by the explosion. Families of victims, survivors, clergy, and officials came together for a moment of reflection. The ceremony included testimonies, a silent march, and the planting of 75 trees each bearing the name of a victim. More trees will be added as a living tribute to the lives lost. In a symbolic move, Lebanon's Minister of Culture declared the destroyed port silo a historical monument, acknowledging its place in the national memory.
Through a letter signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Pope Leo XIV conveyed his “compassion to all those whose hearts are wounded or who have lost everything.” His message stressed that “death does not and will never have the last word,” affirming the enduring Christian hope amid despair. The Pope reminded Lebanon that it remains “beloved and suffering” and is constantly remembered in his prayers.
Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Borgia described the event as deeply emotional, recalling the vivid memories of the explosion’s aftermath the chaos, bloodshed, and trauma still haunting the city. He emphasized the urgent need for truth and justice. “These are deaths that still have no explanation,” he said, echoing the families’ cries for accountability.
The Pope’s solidarity is not new. In August 2024, Pope Francis met a delegation of victims’ relatives at the Vatican, amplifying their call for justice. At that meeting, the Holy Father acknowledged the complexity of the case, marked by political interference and conflicting interests, but urged that the truth must eventually prevail.
Currently, investigations into the explosion remain in a preliminary stage, with testimonies and witness accounts still being collected. Despite slow progress, Archbishop Borgia noted a renewed sense of hope among the families hope that justice might finally be served, even if the journey is long.
Lebanon, meanwhile, continues to wrestle with instability. Political deadlock, economic collapse, and the threat of regional conflict have left the country in a precarious state. Though a fragile ceasefire holds, the social and political climate remains tense.
Yet amid the challenges, hope flickers. At the Jubilee of Youth in Rome, Lebanese flags were seen waving with pride. Archbishop Borgia believes the youth of Lebanon represent resilience and renewal. “They want to break free, to build a different country despite everything,” he said.
While many young Lebanese are forced to emigrate in search of a better future, those who stay remain determined to rebuild. The vigil served not only as a remembrance of lives lost but as a reminder of Lebanon’s enduring spirit and the global Church’s commitment to walk alongside its people in their pursuit of healing, truth, and peace.