US EditionPope Leo Ends First Foreign Trip with Silent Prayer at Beirut Blast Site, Mass at Port
Pope Leo XIV prayed for justice and peace at Beirut's blast site and led a Mass attended by 150,000 people, highlighting Lebanon's ongoing political and economic crises.
- On Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV concluded his Apostolic Journey after a Farewell Ceremony at Rafic Hariri International Airport, praying at the Port of Beirut blast site and leading Mass attended by around 120,000 at the Beirut waterfront.
- Pope Leo XIV sought to comfort victims and press for accountability by urging Lebanon's leaders to serve the people, pursue reconciliation, and engaging leaders from Lebanon's 18 officially recognised religious denominations at Martyrs' Square, Beirut.
- Praying at the blast memorial, Pope Leo XIV stood beside families of the victims holding photos before the monument to the victims at the Port of Beirut, then laid a wreath of red roses and lit a lamp after silent prayer.
- Concluding Mass at the Beirut Waterfront, Pope Leo XIV appealed for peace in Lebanon and the Middle East and urged the Lebanese faithful to be courageous, while victims' relatives reiterated calls for justice as those responsible for the 2020 blast remain unheld nearly six years on.
- Amid intensified strikes and regional tension, the visit occurred as Israel increased attacks in recent weeks and the Lebanese government faces US pressure over Iran-backed militants, while authorities declared Monday and Tuesday holidays and banned drone photography.
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The Tablet
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Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful before he celebrates Mass in Beirut, Lebanon, on the final day of his first apostolic journey Dec. 2, 2025. (PHOTO: CNS/Lola Gomez) By Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM LEBANON (CNS) – At the end of his first foreign trip as pope, a trip focused on dialogue, Pope Leo XIV said the examples of friendship and respect he had seen could be a helpful example for people in North America and Europe, too. For exam…
Pope Leo says farewell to Lebanon after emotional visits to hospital, site of 2020 Beirut port explosion
Pope Leo XIV gave a heartfelt goodbye to the people of Lebanon Dec. 2 after having visited in the morning the staff and patients of a mental disability hospital, met with people who lost loved ones in the 2020 Beirut Port Explosion, and then celebrated Mass at the Beirut Waterfront with thousands of people.
Pope Leo XIV asked on Tuesday before flying for the Vatican "stopping the attacks" against Lebanon, subjected to regular Israeli strikes, and wished during a mass in front of more than 150,000
In front of thousands of young Lebanese, Leo XIV called for peace in a Lebanon anxious for a new war with Israel. ...
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