BEIRUT — Pope Leo XIV arrived in Lebanon on Friday afternoon, marking the first papal visit to the country in more than a decade and a moment of significance for a nation grappling with political paralysis, economic hardship, and on-going regional tensions.

 

The Pope’s plane touched down shortly before 4 p.m. at Beirut’s international airport, where he was greeted by President Joseph Aoun, First Lady Neemat Aoun, and Maronite Patriarch Béchara Raï. Inside a ceremonial tent set up on the tarmac, Leo XIV greeted Lebanon’s religious leaders as crowds of faithful welcomed him with applause and traditional youyous. A military band played the national anthems of Lebanon and the Vatican before the Pope met lawmakers from across the political spectrum.

 

This visit, long desired by the Vatican but repeatedly postponed due to instability in Lebanon, comes at a pivotal moment. Since the last papal trip in 2012, the country has weathered a failed revolution, economic collapse, the Beirut port explosion, the Covid-19 pandemic, and renewed war with Israel. Today, Lebanon’s 18 recognized religious communities continue to navigate a fragile coexistence, while Christian emigration accelerates amid uncertainty.

 

A message rooted in peace and responsibility

 

Pope Leo XIV delivered his first address on Lebanese soil at the Presidential Palace under the theme of his Apostolic Journey: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

 

He stressed that peace in Lebanon is not merely an aspiration but “a daily necessity,” woven into the country’s intricate social fabric.

 

He urged political leaders to remain close to their people and “speak the language of hope,” a spirit that he said has allowed Lebanon “always to start again.” Acknowledging the perseverance of the Lebanese people, he praised their refusal to give up even in times of severe hardship, calling this resilience “a foundation for rebuilding.”

 

The Pope also addressed the weight of Lebanon’s unresolved wounds. Sustainable peace, he said, requires long-term work:

 

Truth, he warned, must accompany reconciliation, and institutions must prioritise the common good “rather than a sum of competing interests.”

 

Young People, Emigration, and the Courage to Stay

 

One of the central concerns of Leo XIV’s trip is Lebanon’s accelerating emigration crisis, particularly among young people.

 

“How can we encourage the young to stay in Lebanon without guaranteeing them peace?” he asked, underscoring that no one should feel forced to leave their homeland. The diaspora, he acknowledged, is a source of pride, but the country must create conditions that allow youth to envision a future at home.

 

He emphasised that remaining in one’s country contributes to a “culture of love and peace.”

 

He also highlighted the role of women in rebuilding a stable society, noting their “special capacity for peace-making” and calling their participation “a factor of true renewal.”

 

A nation seeking relief amid regional strain

 

Lebanon continues to face profound pressures, including the repercussions of Israel’s 2024 invasion of Lebanese territory following escalations linked to Hizbollah. The Pope has grown increasingly vocal on the region’s violence, particularly after the strike on Gaza’s Holy Family Church that killed three civilians. His visit was announced on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, with the Vatican framing the journey as a mission of solidarity and peace.

 

President Joseph Aoun, welcoming the Pontiff, echoed this aspiration:

 

“Our faith is immense and we wish that minds may be freed from wars and violence. Here, Muslims and Christians live side by side, in peace. Lebanon is not only a historic land, but also the land of great saints such as Saint Charbel.”

 

Lebanon’s Christian community, one of the largest and oldest in the Middle East, holds deep roots but worries about its future as many depart toward North America, Europe, and Australia. For many families, the Pope’s arrival carries symbolic weight, a reminder that Lebanon’s plural identity still resonates globally.

 

“Peace Is a Vocation”

 

Closing his address, Pope Leo XIV urged Lebanon’s leaders to shoulder responsibility collectively.

 

Peace, he said, requires dialogue, even in disagreement, and demands the courage to confront difficult truths.

 

“Peace is not an abstraction,” he stated. “It is a desire and a vocation that must be built each day by those entrusted with the country’s future.”

 

As Lebanon navigates some of its most challenging years, the Papal visit offers not only diplomatic significance but emotional resonance for a population seeking stability. Whether it will spark renewed political momentum remains uncertain, but for many Lebanese, Christian and Muslim alike, the message of hope, dignity, and persistence arrives at a time when the country needs it most.