Beirut: On the concluding day of his Apostolic Journey to Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV celebrated a grand Mass at Beirut’s Waterfront, addressing thousands of faithful who gathered to welcome the pontiff’s long-awaited visit. In a stirring homily, the Pope called on the people of Lebanon to “disarm their hearts” and work toward a nation rooted in peace, justice, and unity.
The Mass began with Patriarch Youssef Absi, Greek Melkite Patriarch of Antioch, highlighting that the majority of Lebanese Catholics belong to the Eastern Churches. He expressed gratitude to the Pope for his concern for Eastern-rite Catholics and for delivering a message of joy, reconciliation, and hope.
Pope Leo opened his homily by expressing thanks for the warm welcome he received, acknowledging the resilience of the Lebanese people despite daily hardships. He reflected on Lebanon’s natural beauty, celebrated in Sacred Scripture, which has been overshadowed by poverty, political instability, economic crises, and recurring conflicts. “Amid these worries,” he said, “we can let disillusionment overcome our gratitude and uncertainty overwhelm our hope. But God calls us to discover the small shining lights even in the heart of the night.”
He emphasized that Jesus praises God not for extraordinary achievements but for revealing Himself to the humble and the small ones, reminding the faithful that even modest signs of hope can inspire renewal. Quoting the Prophet Isaiah, he noted that the Kingdom of God is “a small branch sprouting from a trunk,” symbolizing rebirth amid adversity.
The Pope lauded the faith, resilience, and charitable works of the Lebanese people. He highlighted Christian schools, parishes, movements, and the tireless work of priests and religious communities serving both material and spiritual needs. Yet, he cautioned that gratitude must move beyond personal consolation. It should inspire conversion, hope, and acts of charity, encouraging citizens to resist violence, greed, and apathy.
“Disarming our hearts is the only way to restore Lebanon,” Pope Leo said. “Cast off the armor of ethnic and political divisions, open your confessions to mutual encounter, and revive the dream of a united Lebanon, where peace and justice prevail, and all recognize one another as brothers and sisters.”
The Pope urged the Lebanese people to nurture the dream God has placed in their hands, to carry their sufferings with patience, and to persevere in hope. He concluded with a passionate appeal:
“Lebanon, stand up! Be a home of justice and fraternity! Be a prophetic sign of peace for the whole of the Levant!”
The Mass at Beirut Waterfront, echoing with prayers and hymns, served as a powerful call for reconciliation, hope, and national renewal, inspiring the faithful to envision a Lebanon where faith, unity, and justice shine as guiding lights in the midst of enduring challenges.