Pope Leo Carries Peace Message to Lebanon Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions

Istanbul – Pope Leo is traveling to Lebanon on Sunday, bringing a message focused on peace and stability as the country continues to face the impact of regional conflict and ongoing Israeli air strikes that have heightened concerns across its diverse communities and political leadership.

The visit marks the second and final leg of the pope’s first overseas journey, following a four-day stay in Turkey where he spoke about the global rise in violent conflicts and urged world leaders to prioritize dialogue, coexistence, and the protection of human life above political divisions or religious differences.

Leo will arrive at Beirut’s Hariri International Airport in the afternoon, where he is expected to meet the country’s president and prime minister before delivering an address to national leaders, making it his second formal message to a foreign government since assuming leadership of the Catholic Church.

Lebanon, home to the Middle East’s largest Christian population, has been deeply affected by the spillover of the Gaza conflict as exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah continue, raising fears of further escalation and intensifying concerns among citizens already facing years of political and economic instability.

The country is also grappling with the presence of nearly one million Palestinian and Syrian refugees, placing additional pressure on social services and infrastructure at a time when economic hardship and institutional challenges have strained national capacity.

Local leaders have expressed hope that the pope’s visit will encourage renewed international attention, ease tensions, and support efforts to prevent worsening hostilities, with some religious figures describing the trip as a source of hope during a period of uncertainty.

Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem stated that he hoped Pope Leo’s presence would contribute to efforts aimed at curbing further attacks and encouraging diplomatic solutions, while leaders from the Druze community and other faith groups welcomed the visit as a sign of unity and moral support.

Pope Leo, who was relatively unknown on the international stage before his election earlier this year, is being closely watched as he delivers his first overseas speeches and meets with communities outside Italy, offering insight into his priorities and approach to global engagement.

During his stay in Turkey, the pope visited significant religious sites including Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, where he entered without his shoes as a gesture of respect, though he did not participate in prayer as initially indicated, prompting visible surprise among some Vatican officials accompanying him.

He also attended a liturgy at the Ecumenical Patriarchate led by Patriarch Bartholomew, who emphasized the need for a unified Christian stance against war and violence and urged collective efforts to promote peace in regions affected by conflict, including Ukraine and other global hotspots.

In Lebanon, Pope Leo has a demanding schedule covering five cities and towns, with visits planned from Sunday through Tuesday before his return to Rome, though he will not travel to the country’s south, where Israeli strikes have continued to target areas close to the border.

His itinerary includes a prayer at the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, which resulted in 200 deaths and caused extensive destruction across the capital, symbolizing the country’s ongoing struggle to recover from one of the most devastating incidents in its recent history.

The pope will also lead a large outdoor Mass on the Beirut waterfront and visit a psychiatric hospital, one of the few mental health facilities in the country, where staff and patients have expressed anticipation about the significance of a papal visit during a moment of national strain.

As Pope Leo continues his first foreign trip, his messages are expected to focus on humanitarian solidarity, interfaith understanding, and the urgent need for peaceful solutions in regions affected by ongoing conflict, reflecting themes that have shaped his early months as spiritual leader.