Beirut: In a stirring conclusion to his Mass at the Beirut Waterfront, Pope Leo XIV issued a heartfelt appeal for peace in Lebanon and across the Middle East, urging Christians in the region to embrace courage, fraternity, and reconciliation amid ongoing instability.
The Holy Father, reflecting on his apostolic visit, described himself as a “pilgrim of hope” who came to Lebanon to pray for peace in a land scarred by conflict, political uncertainty, and social suffering. “Dear Christians of the Levant, when the results of your efforts for peace are slow in coming, I invite you to lift your gaze to the Lord who is coming!” he said, encouraging the faithful to persevere with hope and courage.
Pope Leo called upon Lebanese Christians to be “artisans of peace, heralds of peace, witnesses of peace,” emphasizing the vital role of faith communities in building a culture of coexistence. He stressed the urgent need for the Middle East to adopt new approaches to overcome cycles of revenge and violence. “The path of mutual hostility and destruction in the horror of war has been traveled too long, with the deplorable results that are before everyone’s eyes,” he remarked. “We need to change course; we need to educate our hearts for peace.”
The Pope extended his prayers beyond Lebanon, invoking peace for the broader Middle East and for communities affected by conflict worldwide. He mentioned the political tensions in Guinea-Bissau and the victims of the recent fire in Hong Kong, calling on the international community and political leaders to actively promote dialogue and reconciliation.
In his closing message, Pope Leo XIV encouraged Christians in Lebanon to face challenges with courage. “Finally, to you, Christians of the Levant, citizens of these lands in every respect, I repeat: have courage! The whole Church looks to you with affection and admiration. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Harissa, protect you always,” he said, invoking the region’s enduring spiritual heritage.
The Mass concluded Pope Leo’s six-day Apostolic Journey to Türkiye and Lebanon, reinforcing his vision for a Middle East renewed through peace, fraternity, and the steadfast witness of its Christian communities.