Mon Dec 01 21:31:33 UTC 2025: Summary:

Pope Leo visited Lebanon, using Martyrs’ Square, a symbolic location that once divided Beirut during the civil war, as a backdrop to call for interfaith unity and coexistence amidst the country’s political and economic crises. He met with religious leaders from various sects and acknowledged the struggles Lebanon faces, including the ongoing regional conflict and the impact of the 2020 Beirut port explosion. While urging unity, he avoided direct comment on the Israeli attacks and the ongoing conflict. Despite the Pope’s calls for unity, Lebanon remains deeply divided, and his visit is seen by some as a potential deterrent against further Israeli escalation.

News Article:

Pope Leo Calls for Unity in Divided Lebanon, Amidst Political Paralysis and Regional Tensions

Beirut – Pope Leo’s visit to Lebanon culminated in a powerful call for interfaith solidarity and coexistence, delivered from Martyrs’ Square, a site laden with symbolism from the country’s civil war. Addressing a gathering of religious leaders from across Lebanon’s diverse religious spectrum, the Pope urged unity in a region fractured by conflict.

“In an age when coexistence can seem like a distant dream, the people of Lebanon… stand as a powerful reminder that … unity, reconciliation, and peace are possible,” Leo declared, emphasizing that “fear, distrust and prejudice do not have the final word.”

The Pope’s visit comes at a critical time for Lebanon, which is grappling with a severe economic crisis, political paralysis, and the ripple effects of regional tensions, including ongoing attacks from Israel. While the Pope met with President Joseph Aoun and acknowledged the country’s struggles, he avoided direct comment on the Israeli attacks.

Despite the symbolic show of unity, observers note that Lebanon remains deeply divided. The visit is viewed by some as a crucial deterrent against further escalation of Israeli attacks, with concerns mounting that renewed conflict could erupt once the Pope departs. Lebanon continues to host about one million Syrian and Palestinian refugees. Pope Leo is scheduled to visit the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion before concluding his trip.

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