Politics Pope celebrates Mass in Beirut: "Lebanon, get up again!"
In front of around 150,000 believers in Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV called for a new social cohesion in the crisis-ridden country.
02.12.2025, 12:33
SDA
"Lebanon, get up again! Be a house of justice and fraternity! Be a harbinger of peace for the whole Levant!" said the head of the Catholic Church at a large mass in Beirut.
Everyone must make their contribution and only together can the country "find its way back to its former glory." The only way to do this is to put an end to political isolation and ethnic tensions. In his sermon, the Pope explained that people must open religious borders for genuine encounters and "reawaken the dream of a united Lebanon" within themselves.
Thunderous applause for Leo
Lebanon is characterized by the coexistence of different religions. Muslims - Sunnis and Shiites - as well as Christians live in the country. The country is currently experiencing the worst economic crisis in its history and many people are living in poverty. Above all, the tense security situation following the war between Hezbollah and Israel is weighing heavily on the country.
Hours before the start of the service, thousands of people flocked to the Beirut waterfront not far from the Lebanese capital's marina to see the Pope celebrate mass. Upon Leo's arrival in the closed papamobile, the people waved Lebanese and Vatican flags and welcomed him with thunderous applause.
The mass marked the end of Leo's first trip abroad since his election as pontiff more than six months ago. He first visited Turkey and then Lebanon. He flies back to Rome in the afternoon.
Silent commemoration at the site of the port explosion
Beforehand, Leo prayed at the site of the devastating explosion in the port of Beirut five years ago. Relatives of some of the more than 200 people killed in the explosion held up photos of their loved ones as the Pope arrived at the site. Leo first paused in silent prayer amidst the rubble, then greeted some of the relatives and chatted with them.
