Pope Leo arrives in Lebanon today, stepping onto a land that has endured years of conflict, tension, and uncertainty. His mission is clear: deliver a plea for peace to a nation once again caught in the crossfire of escalating Israeli air strikes. This marks the second and final stop of his first international journey as the leader of the Catholic Church.
The first-ever US-born pope is traveling to Beirut directly from Turkey, where he spent four days urging global leaders to face the alarming rise in violent conflicts worldwide. There, he cautioned that humanity’s future is hanging in the balance and strongly condemned any form of violence carried out in the name of religion.
Landing at Beirut’s Hariri International Airport at 3.45pm (9.45pm Malaysian time), Pope Leo is scheduled to meet Lebanon’s president, prime minister, and members of the national leadership. His message will be one of unity, stability, and urgent peace—a message that Lebanon desperately hopes the world will hear.
Lebanon, home to the largest Christian population in the Middle East, has been shaken by the fallout of the Gaza conflict. The ongoing confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified, with Israel launching a devastating offensive that has brought the entire region to a dangerous tipping point.
The country is also still reeling from multiple crises: hosting over 1 million Syrian and Palestinian refugees, enduring years of economic collapse, and now facing fears of a major escalation in Israeli strikes in the months ahead.
Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, expressed hope that the pope’s visit could help stop the deadly attacks, while leaders from Lebanon’s diverse religious communities have also welcomed the visit as a rare source of hope. Druze cleric Sheikh Sami Abi al-Muna said that Lebanon “needs the glimmer of hope represented by this visit.”
A Landmark Visit Across Lebanon
Pope Leo—relatively unknown globally before his appointment in May—is stepping into the international spotlight with heightened expectations. His actions, words, and gestures on this trip are being closely watched.
Yesterday, he paid a visit to the iconic Blue Mosque in Istanbul, marking his first entry into a Muslim house of worship as pope. In a sign of humility, he removed his shoes, though he did not carry out the planned prayer, surprising some Vatican observers.
Now in Lebanon, the 70-year-old pontiff embarks on a busy schedule across five cities and towns. Though he will not travel to the south, given the ongoing Israeli strikes, he will visit several symbolic locations.
One key moment will be his prayer at the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion—a blast that killed 200 people, destroyed entire neighborhoods, and inflicted billions in damage. He will also lead a waterfront Mass expected to draw thousands seeking healing and hope.
His itinerary includes a visit to one of Lebanon’s few psychiatric hospitals, where staff and residents are awaiting him with heartfelt anticipation.
