Pope Leo XIV Concludes First Foreign Trip to Lebanon
Pope Leo XIV has wrapped up his inaugural foreign visit, a six-day pilgrimage in the Middle East that concluded in Beirut on Tuesday.
This journey brought him to Lebanon, a country still healing from the scars of conflict. It’s hard to forget the catastrophic explosion at Beirut’s port on August 4, 2020, which tragically took over 200 lives, wounded thousands, and left countless others homeless. Even now, five years later, the Lebanese government has yet to finalize its investigation regarding the nearly three tons of ammonium nitrate that ignited, causing what is regarded as the largest non-nuclear explosion ever. Each month on the fourth, families of the victims gather at the port to demand justice and highlight government corruption.
Pope Visits Amid Economic Turmoil and Security Worries
During his visit, Pope Leo held a moment of silence at the port and lit a lamp to honor the victims. Earlier, Vatican spokesman Salvatore Scolozzi addressed about 80 accredited journalists in the marble foyer of Beirut’s InterContinental Phenicia Hotel. This hotel had also suffered damage in the 2020 explosion, with shattered windows and destroyed furnishings. “It felt like all the air was sucked out – glass everywhere,” Scolozzi recounted, noting thankfully that there were no fatalities. Following extensive repairs, the hotel reopened in 2023, standing amidst the ruins of nearby buildings.
In between the preparations, Salvatore joked with attendees: “Nonfa Ritardi Vamps, don’t be late.” He and his team invested over a year planning this meaningful pilgrimage to Turkey and Lebanon, originally intended for Pope Francis.
Insights from the Press Corps
We, part of the Vatican Official Media Personnel, came from 15 different countries for this trip. After checking in early for our return flight to Rome, the chat in the lobby centered around potential questions for Pope Leo during his long-awaited in-flight press conference. There was some lively debate; one colleague suggested approaching the topic of women’s roles during the Pope’s visit, prompting skepticism about whether such discussions would occur at all.
Initially, there were worries he might not engage with the press at all while on board. However, those concerns subsided as the chartered flight from Istanbul to Beirut began, with an slightly flustered Pope Leo answering inquiries about the Gaza situation and reiterating the Vatican’s support for a two-state solution, while also stressing, “Israel is our friend.”
He seems to approach his role with caution and a diplomatic touch. There’s a noticeable shift in his tone; he appears more self-assured and focused during speeches. In Lebanon, he communicated in his native English, sprinkled with some beautiful phrases in French and Arabic, urging harmony among local leaders, religious communities, and youth.
During a gathering with young Christians, he honored those Lebanese who have remained in their homeland and those who have returned. “Have hope, don’t leave here, your country needs you!” he encouraged.
Local volunteer Nada Merhi, who was just five years old during Lebanon’s civil war, spoke candidly about her love for her country despite the ongoing economic crises exacerbated by the recent conflict involving Hamas and Hezbollah. “We need real support, but above everything, we want peace. We hope the Pope keeps us in his thoughts,” she expressed.
Meanwhile, Andre Sassin, a small business owner near Byblos, remains hopeful. “Business will thrive if there’s peace. Lebanese Muslims aren’t the issue, it’s the outside influences corrupting our nation,” he asserted. He expressed his belief that President Trump might play a helpful role, especially since his daughter is married to someone of Lebanese descent. “We Lebanese cherish America, and we have faith in this new American-born pope. Please assist us in finding peace,” he concluded.
