Pope Leo XIV ended his deeply symbolic three-day visit to Lebanon on Tuesday with a solemn stop at the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, offering prayers and calling for unity, justice, and healing in a country still living with the consequences of the devastating blast.

The Pope’s trip — his first international journey since assuming the papacy — has been closely watched across the Middle East. Throughout the visit, he repeatedly urged Lebanese leaders and citizens to pursue peace, accountability, and reconciliation amid ongoing political paralysis and economic hardship.

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A Return to the Site of Lebanon’s Deepest Wound

In one of the most emotional moments of the trip, Pope Leo visited the port area where more than 220 people were killed and 6,500 injured in August 2020. Standing near the still-ruined silos and mangled remains of the port, the Pope prayed silently and lit a lamp in memory of the victims.

He greeted survivors and families individually, listening to their accounts and offering blessings — a gesture that resonated powerfully with many Lebanese who have spent years demanding answers about the explosion.

“We are grateful for this visit from the Pope,” said Cecile Roukoz, a lawyer who lost her brother in the blast. “He raises his voice for justice, and we need justice for all the victims.”

Despite repeated investigations, no senior official has been convicted, fueling public anger over what many see as entrenched impunity and political interference.

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Mass at Beirut’s Waterfront Draws Tens of Thousands

Later in the day, the Pope celebrated Mass on Beirut’s waterfront, drawing an estimated 150,000 attendees, according to Lebanese authorities. The turnout was considerably lower than that of Pope Benedict XVI’s 2012 visit — a reflection of Lebanon’s dramatic demographic change after years of emigration, political turmoil, and economic collapse.

In his homily, Pope Leo urged Lebanese citizens to reject sectarian fragmentation and renew their commitment to national unity.

“We must cast off the armour of our ethnic and political divisions,” he said.
“I dream of a Lebanon where peace and justice reign — where all recognise one another as brothers and sisters.”

The message echoed the theme of his entire trip: national healing through shared identity and collective responsibility.

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Lebanon’s Crises Shape the Mood of the Visit

Lebanon has endured one disaster after another over the past decade:

• A severe financial collapse
• Widespread loss of savings
• The Beirut port explosion
• Political paralysis
• Ongoing tension and periodic clashes involving Hezbollah and Israel

Reporting from Beirut, Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr noted that many who attended the papal events expressed gratitude, saying the Pope’s presence offered a rare moment of hope in a period of sustained hardship.

“People here say life is extremely difficult and they are struggling,” Khodr said. “But they appreciate the Pope coming to stand with them.”

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A Broader Mission for Peace in the Middle East

Lebanon was the second stop on Pope Leo XIV’s regional journey, following his visit to Türkiye. Throughout the trip, he delivered a consistent message: the Middle East must step back from the brink, resolve conflict through dialogue, and prioritise human dignity.

He warned that the future of humanity is endangered by expanding global conflicts — from Gaza and southern Lebanon to Ukraine and beyond. His prayers at the Beirut blast site, therefore, served not only as remembrance but also as a plea for regional stability.