Pope Leo XIV Calls for New Approaches to Peace in the Middle East During Beirut Mass

Pope Leo XIV drew an enormous crowd at Beirut’s waterfront as he celebrated a large open-air Mass during his visit to Lebanon. Around 150,000 people gathered to hear his message, marking one of the most significant public events in the country in recent years. Addressing the faithful, the Pope said that the Middle East urgently needs "new approaches" to achieve peace, stressing that the long-entrenched cycle of revenge, hostility, and violence must come to an end.

 

 

 

In his address, the Pope urged communities and leaders across the region to choose dialogue over conflict and to rebuild trust through reconciliation. He emphasized that peace cannot be achieved through weapons or retaliation, but through courage, patience, and a willingness to listen. His message resonated strongly in Lebanon, a nation still suffering from a severe economic collapse and recovering from last year’s war between Israel and Hezbollah, which left many citizens fearing the possibility of renewed clashes.

Earlier in the day, the Pope visited the site of the devastating 2020 Beirut port explosion, where he offered silent prayers for victims and expressed solidarity with families still seeking justice. His stop at the location served as a symbolic call for accountability and healing in a country burdened by repeated crises.

 

 

During the Mass, Pope Leo XIV praised Lebanon’s tradition of religious coexistence and encouraged its people to remain united despite political and sectarian divisions. He called on the youth to become "builders of peace" and to envision a future based on cooperation and hope rather than conflict and despair.

 

 

As he concluded his visit, the Pope urged regional and international leaders to support efforts aimed at stability, humanitarian relief, and genuine reconciliation. His remarks were widely welcomed as a message of hope for a region longing for peace and for a country struggling to rise from years of turmoil.