Star Metro - Pope urges end to hostilities at end of Lebanon trip

A 150,000-strong mass at Beirut's waterfront was the highlight of the trip by the Catholic leader, who arrived on Sunday after visiting Turkey on his inaugural visit abroad as pontiff.

He has received a jubilant welcome in a nation beset by a years-long economic collapse and which is still reeling from a war last year between Israel and militant group Hezbollah, with many fearing renewed hostilities.

Noting that he was unable to visit all of the country, Pope Leo expressed his "aspiration for peace, along with a heartfelt appeal: may the attacks and hostilities cease".

Israel has kept up strikes on Lebanon despite a November 2024 ceasefire with Hezbollah and has escalated attacks in recent weeks -- but has not announced any raids during the pope's visit.

Under heavy pressure, Lebanon's government has committed to disarming the Iran-backed group, which however has rejected the idea.

The pope appealed in his mass "to those who hold political and social authority here and in all countries marked by war and violence. Listen to the cry of your peoples who are calling for peace".

He said that "the Middle East needs new approaches in order to reject the mindset of revenge and violence, to overcome political, social and religious divisions, and to open new chapters in the name of reconciliation and peace."

Later, as he prepared to depart from Beirut airport he declared: "While weapons are lethal, negotiation, mediation and dialogue are constructive. Let us all choose peace as a way, not just as a goal!"

- 'Have courage' -

Earlier, the pope wound his way through the crowd at the outdoor mass in his popemobile as people offered roses, with senior officials including President Joseph Aoun also in attendance.

"The pope puts joy and peace in our hearts and strengthens our hope," said Samira Khoury, among some 150,000 people in attendance.

Leo told those gathered: "I especially pray for beloved Lebanon. I ask the international community once again to spare no effort in promoting processes of dialogue and reconciliation."

He also sent a message of encouragement to Christians in the region, whose presence has dwindled.

"Christians of the Levant, citizens of these lands in every respect, I repeat, have courage. The whole Church looks to you with affection and admiration," he said.

Some participants travelled from abroad including from neighbouring Syria, while migrant workers from countries such as the Philippines and Sri Lanka were also among the crowd.

Elias Fadel, 22, said the visit was "a sign of hope for Lebanon. I can feel the peace already just by seeing the people and how happy they are and I can see hope in their eyes for the future of Lebanon."

- 'Thirst for truth' -

Before the service, the pope prayed at the site of a catastrophic port explosion on August 4, 2020 which killed more than 220 people, injured over 6,500 and devastated swathes of the capital.

Near a monument to those killed, with the facility's devastated grain silos visible nearby, the pope spoke with survivors and relatives of victims, many of whom were holding photos of their loved ones.

"I was deeply moved by my brief visit to the Port of Beirut," the pope said from the airport.

"I carry with me the pain, and the thirst for truth and justice, of so many families, of an entire country," he added.

Nobody has been held to account for the Beirut port blast, one of the world's largest ever non-nuclear explosions.

Cecile Roukoz, a lawyer whose brother died in the explosion, expressed gratitude at the visit.

The pope raises his voice for justice "and we need justice for our brothers and all the victims of this explosion", she said.

Pope Leo's first stop on Tuesday was at a psychiatric hospital run by nuns where an emotional Mother Superior Marie Makhlouf thanked the pope for being "a father to the forgotten, the abandoned and the marginalised".

"We cannot forget those who are most fragile," Pope Leo said.

Bidding the pontiff farewell, Aoun said the visit "reminded us that the world has not forgotten Lebanon -- that there are still those who pray for it and work for peace".

Y.X. Gagnon--SMC