Beirut: Concluding his Apostolic Journey to Türkiye and Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful farewell message at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport, calling on the Middle East to choose peace not merely as an aspiration but as a way of life. The brief ceremony on Tuesday marked the end of a six-day visit that blended pastoral compassion, interfaith outreach, and a bold appeal for regional reconciliation.
Addressing dignitaries and church leaders at the airport, Pope Leo expressed his hope that even those who “consider themselves enemies” may rediscover one another as brothers through dialogue, cooperation, and shared humanity. His words underscored a central theme of his journey: that peace demands daily commitment, not just diplomatic ambition.
The Pope reflected warmly on his three days in Lebanon, praising the country’s spiritual depth and the strength of its people amid ongoing political and economic hardship. He highlighted Lebanon’s unique interreligious coexistence, shaped in part by a longstanding devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary shared by Christians and Muslims alike a symbol of unity he described as vital for the nation’s future.
One of the most emotional references in his address was his remembrance of the victims of the Beirut port explosion. “I carry with me the pain, and the thirst for truth and justice, of so many families, of an entire country,” he said, reaffirming the Vatican’s solidarity with the Lebanese people and its call for accountability.
Pope Leo also recalled his pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Charbel, describing Lebanon’s spiritual heritage as a compass for moving toward a more peaceful and just society. He extended greetings to regions he could not visit, such as Tripoli, the Beqaa Valley, and southern Lebanon, which continues to endure tension and instability.
In a direct appeal against violence, the Holy Father reminded all parties that “armed struggle brings no benefit,” insisting that negotiation and dialogue remain the only constructive paths. “Weapons are lethal. Dialogue builds. Let us all choose peace as a way, not just as a goal,” he urged.
Quoting Saint John Paul II’s famous words, he reiterated that “Lebanon is more than a country; it is a message.” Pope Leo concluded by calling on all communities to “work together and hope together,” insisting that the Lebanese model of coexistence can inspire the wider Middle East.
With his final blessing offered, the Pope boarded his flight back to Rome, leaving behind a message of hope aimed at healing a region long scarred by division and encouraging Lebanon to continue carrying its legacy as a beacon of peace.