Pope’s Lebanon Visit Highlights interfaith Hope Amidst deep Divisions and Regional Tensions
Pope Leo recently concluded a visit to Lebanon, marked by calls for interfaith harmony and peace, even as the country grapples with political paralysis, economic collapse, and the looming threat of regional conflict. The visit, part of his first overseas trip as pope following a stop in Turkiye, aimed to offer a message of hope to a nation deeply fractured along sectarian lines.
The Pope delivered a powerful message of unity during an interfaith gathering in Martyrs’ Square, a location symbolically critically important as both a memorial to those who fought for Lebanon’s independence and a focal point for protests demanding political reform.”And peace are possible,” he stated, urging that “every bell toll; every adhan, every call to prayer blend into a single, soaring hymn.”
However, observers note a stark contrast between the image of religious leaders united and the reality of Lebanon’s deeply divided society. Al jazeera’s Zeina Khodr, reporting from Beirut, emphasized this disconnect, stating that while the gathering presented a unified front, the country remains profoundly fragmented.
Pope Leo met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, the Arab world’s sole Christian head of state, and addressed diplomats at the presidential palace. He also visited the tomb of St Charbel, a revered Catholic saint, and Harissa, a hillside shrine overlooking the Mediterranean, where crowds greeted him with chants of “Viva il Papa.” A gathering of approximately 15,000 young people heard the Pope encourage them to embrace hope and “dream, to plan and to do good.”
Lebanon is home to a significant Christian population, representing roughly 30% of the country, alongside Muslim communities (Shia and sunni), as well as Alawite and Druze minorities.Representatives from all major sects attended the interfaith event, including leaders from communities impacted by violence in neighboring Syria. Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, deputy head of the Supreme Shia Islamic Council, expressed gratitude for the Pope’s visit but also highlighted the ongoing impact of “Israel‘s continued attacks.”
The Pope’s message of unity unfolded against a backdrop of escalating regional tensions. Hezbollah initiated rocket attacks into Israel on October 8, 2023, in solidarity with Palestinians following Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Israel subsequently escalated its actions in Lebanon in September 2024, weakening Hezbollah. While a ceasefire was established in November 2024, Israel has continued cross-border strikes, resulting in over 300 fatalities in Lebanon, including approximately 127 civilians, according to UN figures. The Pope, while previously advocating for dialog, refrained from direct commentary on the fighting during this visit. Many believe his presence serves as a deterrent to further Israeli escalation,with concerns rising that the situation could deteriorate after his departure.
Beyond the immediate security concerns, Lebanon is facing a severe economic crisis stemming from decades of mismanagement, which spiraled into a financial meltdown in 2019, pushing millions into poverty. The country also hosts a large refugee population, including approximately one million Syrian and Palestinian refugees.
Pope Leo is scheduled to visit the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion and lead a mass on the city’s waterfront on Tuesday, continuing his message of solidarity and hope for the future of Lebanon.
