Pope Leo has urged Lebanon’s political leaders to prioritize peace during his visit to the country, which continues to experience the impacts of Israeli airstrikes. This visit marks the second leg of his inaugural overseas trip as the leader of the Catholic Church. Arriving in Beirut on October 8, 2023, after a four-day visit to Turkey, he emphasized the urgent need for peace amidst numerous global conflicts and condemned violence justified by religion.
During his address at the presidential palace, attended by key figures such as President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Pope Leo invoked the words of Jesus, stating, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” His speech, which included the word “peace” over twenty times, highlighted Lebanon’s necessity to continue pursuing peace efforts despite a “highly complex, conflictual and uncertain” regional landscape. Aoun remarked on the anguish prevalent in Lebanon and the broader region, asserting that the country is one where Christians and Muslims coexist as equals.
Crowds gathered along the route from the airport to the presidential palace, displaying both Lebanese and Vatican flags in a show of support for the Pope’s visit. Lebanon, home to the largest Christian population in the Middle East, is grappling with the repercussions of the ongoing war in Gaza. Tensions have escalated as Israel and the Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah engage in conflict, leading to a significant Israeli military offensive.
Lebanese citizen Randa Sahyoun, who traveled from Qatar for the Pope’s visit, expressed hope for a change. “We want him to plant peace in the hearts of politicians so that we can live a comfortable life in Lebanon,” she stated. Pope Leo reiterated that achieving peace requires resilience, asserting that “the commitment and love for peace know no fear in the face of apparent defeat.”
Leaders in Lebanon are increasingly concerned about a potential escalation in Israeli airstrikes. Israel claims its ongoing military actions, which have continued since a ceasefire agreement last year, are aimed at preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capabilities and posing a renewed threat to northern Israeli communities. Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Qassem, expressed hope that the Pope’s visit would contribute to halting Israeli attacks. Notably, Mohammad Raad, Hezbollah’s senior member of parliament, attended the Pope’s speech, indicating the significance of the event across different political spectrums.
Pope Leo, a relatively unknown figure on the global stage prior to his papacy in May, is being closely observed as he interacts with diverse audiences during his first speeches outside predominantly Catholic Italy. The 70-year-old Pope, in good health, has a packed schedule in Lebanon, visiting five cities and towns from October 8 to 10, 2023, before returning to Rome. Notably, he will not travel to southern Lebanon, which has been a primary target of Israeli strikes, and he did not directly mention Israel during his address.
The Pope’s message resonates deeply at a time when Lebanon faces significant challenges, including hosting over one million Syrian and Palestinian refugees and recovering from a prolonged economic crisis. His emphasis on peace may serve as a crucial reminder for Lebanon’s leaders to prioritize stability and coexistence in the face of ongoing adversity.
