Pope Leo XIV Visits Beirut, Leads Mass and Remembers Tragedy

Thousands of Lebanese faithful gathered at Beirut’s waterfront for a mass led by Pope Leo XIV on the morning of Tuesday, March 12, 2024. This event marks the highlight of the Pope’s inaugural visit to Lebanon, which aims to inspire hope among the nation’s youth. The mass is expected to attract over 120,000 attendees, prompting extensive security measures, including road closures in the city center and military personnel deployed nearby.

Before the mass, the Pope will hold a silent prayer at the site of the devastating port explosion that occurred on August 4, 2020. This tragedy claimed over 220 lives and left more than 6,500 injured, causing widespread destruction in the capital. During his visit, Pope Leo XIV is expected to pay his respects to the families of victims and survivors who continue to seek justice for the disaster, which is regarded as one of the world’s largest non-nuclear explosions.

Upon arriving from Turkey on Sunday, March 10, 2024, Pope Leo XIV emphasized his mission of hope, particularly for the younger generation in Lebanon, where faith in the country’s future has dimmed. The pontiff’s visit comes at a time when Lebanon is still grappling with the aftermath of last year’s conflict between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah, with many citizens anxious about the possibility of renewed violence.

On Tuesday morning, the Pope’s first stop was a psychiatric hospital run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Cross, where he received a warm welcome from staff and patients alike. Emotions ran high as Marie Makhlouf, mother superior of the congregation, expressed gratitude to the Pope for his role as “a father to the forgotten, the abandoned, and the marginalised.” She highlighted the challenges faced by the hospital amid the collapse of state institutions and the ongoing economic crisis in Lebanon.

In a statement that resonated deeply with attendees, Pope Leo XIV remarked, “We cannot forget those who are most fragile. We cannot conceive of a society that races ahead at full speed clinging to the false myths of wellbeing, while at the same time ignoring so many situations of poverty and vulnerability.”

The Pope’s visit also included an interreligious meeting on Monday, where he called upon Christian and Muslim leaders to unite against intolerance and violence. His message resonated particularly with the youth, as he addressed around 15,000 attendees in Bkerke, the seat of the Maronite Church, urging them to “be the source of hope that the country is waiting for.”

As the mass approaches, the anticipation in Beirut is palpable. The Pope’s presence has ignited a sense of community and hope amid the ongoing struggles faced by the Lebanese people. With the mass set against the backdrop of the port explosion site, it promises to be a moment of reflection, healing, and renewed faith for many attendees.