Concluding Mass at Beirut Waterfront, Pope Leo XIV appeals for peace in Lebanon and the Middle East, and urges the Lebanese faithful to be courageous in the face of instability and suffering.
By Devin Watkins
Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his Mass in Beirut on Tuesday morning with an appeal for everyone to work for peace.
Recalling that he came to Lebanon as a pilgrim of hope, the Pope prayed for the gift of peace for “this beloved land, marked by instability, wars, and 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. “Let us look to Him with hope and courage, inviting everyone to set out on the path of coexistence, fraternity and peace.”
He encouraged them to be “artisans of peace, heralds of peace, witnesses of peace.”
Pope Leo noted that the Middle East requires new approaches to reset the mindset of revenge and violence, as well as to overcome divisions and build reconciliation and peace.
“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 said. “We need to change course; we need to educate our hearts for peace.”
Pope Leo XIV then prayed for the Middle East and all peoples who suffer because of war.
“I also offer hopeful prayers for a peaceful solution to the current political disputes in Guinea-Bissau,” he said. “Nor do I forget the victims, and their dear families, of the fire in Hong Kong.”
The Pope prayed especially for Lebanon and called on the international community and politicians to spare no effort to promote dialogue and reconciliation in all places torn by war and violence.
In conclusion, Pope Leo urged Christians in the region to be courageous in the face of difficulty.
“Finally, to you, Christians of the Levant, citizens of these lands in every respect, I repeat: have courage!” he said. “The whole Church looks to you with affection and admiration. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Harissa, protect you always.”
