Pope Leo XIV concludes Lebanon visit with fervent plea: “Choose peace as a way, not just a goal”

Wrapping up a historic 6-day Apostolic Journey to Türkiye and Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV bid farewell to the “Land of Cedars” on December 02, leaving behind a powerful mandate for the Middle East to embrace fraternity and rejection of armed conflict.

From the solemn silence of the Beirut Port blast site to the vibrant enthusiasm of Lebanese youth, the Holy Father’s final day was marked by a call for justice, resilience, and a peace that reaches even those "who currently consider themselves enemies."

A Farewell of Fraternity

During the official farewell ceremony at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport, the Pope reflected on the spiritual heritage of the region. He emphasized that the deep veneration for the Blessed Virgin Mary, shared by both Christians and Muslims, serves as a bridge for dialogue.

Addressing the conflicts plaguing the region, specifically in southern Lebanon, the Pope was direct: “We must recognize that armed struggle brings no benefit. While weapons are lethal, negotiation, mediation, and dialogue are constructive. Let us all choose peace as a way, not just as a goal!”

Silence at the Port

Earlier in the day, the Pontiff made a deeply emotional visit to the site of the August 2020 Beirut Port explosion. Amidst the whir of helicopters and the backdrop of tattered grain silos, Pope Leo XIV stood in silence, praying for the more than 200 lives lost and the thousands wounded.

He met with families of the victims, including the relatives of Isaac, a two-year-old Australian boy who was the youngest victim of the blast. 

The families presented the Pope with a scarf printed with photos of their loved ones, asking for his blessing in their continued fight for accountability. “I carry with me the pain, and the thirst for truth and justice, of so many families, of an entire country,” the Pope said, expressing solidarity with a nation still seeking answers six years after the tragedy.

“Artisans of Peace” and Prayers for Asia

During the concluding Mass at the Beirut Waterfront, Pope Leo XIV urged Lebanese Christians to remain courageous in the face of instability. He challenged the faithful to be "artisans of peace, heralds of peace, witnesses of peace," and to look toward the Lord when human efforts for reconciliation seem slow.

In a moment of significance for the Church in Asia, the Pope extended his prayers beyond the Middle East during the Angelus. He specifically remembered the victims of the recent fire in Hong Kong, assuring their families of his spiritual closeness, while also praying for political stability in Guinea-Bissau.

Hope for the Youth

The Pope also dedicated time to the youth of Lebanon in Bkerké, greeting them with the Arabic phrase “Assalamu alaikum” (Peace be with you). Acknowledging the temptation to despair in a world inherited with wars and social injustice, he implored the young generation not to lose their capacity to dream.

Using the symbol of the cedar tree, Lebanon's national emblem, he reminded them that strength lies in the roots, faith, and history.

"There is still time to plan, dream, and do good," the Pope encouraged. "If our ego is at the center of a friendship or loving relationship, it cannot bear fruit... Let us learn to work together and hope together."

As Pope Leo XIV returns to Rome, his message remains clear: Lebanon is more than a country; it is a message of tolerance and pluralism that the world, and the wider Asian continent, must help preserve.