Beirut: In a poignant moment on the final day of his Apostolic Journey to Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV visited the site of the catastrophic 2020 explosion at the Port of Beirut, where over 200 lives were lost, 7,000 people injured, and 300,000 displaced. Standing silently before the monument engraved with the names of the victims, the Pope lit a candle, touched a wreath of red roses, and offered prayers for those who perished, as helicopters whirred overhead and cameras captured the historic visit.
The site still bears the scars of that fateful day nearly six years ago. Rubble from the blast was visible, and the tattered grain silos, the epicenter of the explosion, loomed against the grey sky. Amidst the ruins, families of the victims and survivors gathered, holding photographs of their loved ones, seeking solace and recognition of their pain. Despite the passage of time, accountability for the disaster remains elusive.
Among those present was Nada Abdelsater, President of the Beirut Foundation, holding a photo of Isaac, a two-year-old Australian boy who died in the blast. Representing his family, Abdelsater presented a black-and-white scarf featuring the faces of all victims as a symbolic gesture of remembrance. “We want to acknowledge that Pope Leo has blessed this land that holds the remains and the blood of our victims,” she said.
Cecile Rukoz, a lawyer who lost her brother Joseph in the explosion, attended alongside her nephew. “We are very grateful for the Pope’s visit because he prays for the souls of our martyrs and victims,” she said. “We know he will raise his voice for justice, and we need justice for all who suffered in this disaster.”
Tatiana Hasrouty, 24, recounted losing her father while he worked in the silos. She emphasized the visit as a message of resilience. “Meeting Pope Francis in 2024 gave us hope, and now with Pope Leo, the Vatican sees our suffering. His presence here gives hope not just to Christians, but also to Muslim families affected by the tragedy,” she said.
Similarly, Nohad Abdou, who lost her nephew Jaques Baramachian, expressed the urgent need for accountability. “We want justice. We want to know who is responsible,” she said, her voice heavy with grief, pointing to the home where her nephew had lived.
Through this solemn visit, Pope Leo XIV underscored the importance of remembering the most vulnerable, advocating unity in prayer, and supporting the quest for justice. His silent vigil at the blast site sent a powerful signal to the world: amid tragedy, compassion and solidarity remain vital, and the search for truth and accountability must continue.
The Pope’s presence at the Beirut Port memorial resonated deeply with survivors and families alike, leaving a lasting impression of empathy, hope, and spiritual encouragement in a city still recovering from one of its darkest days.