Pope Leo concluded his three-day visit to Lebanon on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for peace in the Middle East. Addressing a crowd of 150,000 in Beirut, he stated that the region requires a new mindset where violence and revenge are rejected, urging the start of a new chapter of reconciliation and peace.

During his visit, Leo prayed at the site of the devastating 2020 Beirut port explosion and met with survivors, lighting a candle in remembrance of over 220 victims in silence. He also engaged with leaders from Lebanon’s diverse religious sects, urging them to unite amid years of conflict and a political and economic crisis that has led to a wave of emigration. He encouraged Christian, Sunni, Shia, and Druze leaders to demonstrate coexistence and build a unified nation through respect and dialogue.