Pope Leon XIV in Beirut: “Lebanon, Rise and Be a Sign of Peace”
Pope Leon XIV at the Beirut Mass: A Call for Hope and Renewal
Pope Leon XIV delivered a deeply moving spiritual message this morning during the grand Eucharistic Mass held on the Beirut waterfront, attended by an estimated 150,000 people who flocked from across Lebanon. The ceremony was also marked by the presence of Lebanon’s three presidents and their spouses, alongside senior diplomatic and religious figures — making it one of the largest national gatherings in recent years.
Lebanon at the Heart of the Message
In his homily, the Pope addressed the Lebanese people with a direct appeal:
- “At times, under the weight of life’s hardships, we tend to give in to discouragement rather than gratitude… I urge you, people of Lebanon, to always preserve a spirit of thankfulness.”
He continued:
- “We must not fall into despair or surrender to the evil that spreads. You are called to unite your efforts to restore the radiance of this land.”
The Pope also reflected on the wounds burdening the Lebanese:
- “This beauty is overshadowed by poverty, suffering, and wounds — by political instability, economic crisis, violence, and conflict… Yet this land has the strength to rise again.”
A Message of Hope for Lebanon
He concluded with a powerful line that drew warm applause from the crowds:
“We are called not to lose hope… and I say to Lebanon: Rise, and be a sign of peace in the East.”
According to Vatican News, the Pope dedicated today’s prayers to the peace and stability of Lebanon, asking that “paths open toward a future worthy of its people.”
