Pope Leo XIV calls for a united Lebanon in historic Beirut Mass: “Disarm your hearts and be a prophecy of peace”
In a moving celebration at the Beirut Waterfront, the Pontiff invited the Lebanese people to cultivate gratitude and hope in the face of the crisis, recalling the country’s wounds and dreaming of a nation of fraternity.
Pope Leo XIV presided over a solemn Mass today on Beirut’s iconic waterfront, concluding his apostolic journey to Lebanon. Thousands of faithful, representatives of various religious denominations, and political leaders gathered on this waterfront esplanade to hear a message of gratitude, hope, and unity in a country marked by decades of conflict, a devastating economic crisis, and the scars of tragedies such as the 2020 port explosion.
The event, part of a journey that included a pilgrimage to Iznik for the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, was not just a liturgy, but a prophetic call for reconciliation. Visibly moved, Leo XIV alluded directly to the “wounds that have marked its history,” referring to his recent prayer at the site of the port explosion, which killed more than 200 people. “From this esplanade overlooking the sea, I too can contemplate the beauty of Lebanon sung of in Scripture,” the Pope began his homily, evoking the biblical cedars and the fragrant scent of the land described in the Song of Songs.
However, the tone of the homily soon shifted to harsh reality: poverty, political instability, violence, and “ancient fears” that obscure this divine beauty. “Gratitude easily gives way to disillusionment; the song of praise has no place in the desolation of the heart,” the Pope acknowledged, quoting the Gospel of Luke (10:21): “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.” But instead of resignation, Leo XIV proposed a “conversion of life” inspired by the smallness of the Kingdom of God, compared to a “small shoot that grows from the trunk” according to Isaiah (11:1).
The heart of the message resonated with an imperative of interreligious and social unity. “Disarm our hearts, let us cast aside the armor of our ethnic and political divisions, let us open our religious confessions to mutual encounter,” the Pope urged, dreaming of a Lebanon where “the wolf will dwell with the lamb” (Isaiah 11:6). Addressing the Lebanese people directly, he invited them to “arise” as a “dwelling of justice and fraternity” and to become a “prophecy of peace for the entire Levant.” This appeal takes on particular urgency in a context where the economic crisis has driven millions of people to emigrate and regional conflicts are fueling sectarian divisions.
Lebanese and Vatican flags waved in the crowd, while choirs sang hymns in Arabic and Latin. Participants’ testimonies highlighted the “simple and genuine” faith praised by the Pope: families rooted in Christian traditions, parishes responding to daily needs, and lay people committed to charitable work. “These are the small lights that shine in the night,” Leo XIV emphasized, praising priests and religious who persevere “amid so many difficulties.” A mother, interviewed during the event, confessed: “Today I feel that the Pope sees us, understands us. He tells us that we are not alone in this darkness.”
The Mass concluded with a special blessing for peace in the Middle East, and the Pope pronounced a final prayer: “I pray for you, that this land of the Levant may always be illuminated by faith in Jesus Christ, the Sun of Justice.” Leaving the altar, Leo XIV kissed a Lebanese crucifix offered by the young people, symbolizing their commitment to sowing “seeds of hope” in a barren garden.
This apostolic journey, which began on November 27 in Turkey, leaves a legacy of ecumenical dialogue and solidarity. Local analysts see the Pope’s words as a boost to diplomatic efforts to stabilize the country, recalling that Lebanon, with its mosaic of 18 recognized faiths, has historically been a bridge between East and West. As the sun set over Beirut, Leo XIV’s message lingered: gratitude for the little things gives rise to the strength to transform the impossible. The challenge now falls to the Lebanese people: will they be able to turn this prophetic dream into reality?
Full text of the homily:
Exaudi News
https://exaudi.org/
