The head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican city Pope Leo XIV just wrapped up a three-day visit to Lebanon which began on Sunday, November 30.
The visit marks the pontiff’s first foreign trip since he was elected in May, and comes amid an unprecedented unrest across West Asia caused by Israel’s multi-front war that began in October 7, 2023, and has continued to escalate ever since.
Prior to his arrival in Lebanon, the Pope told reporters that the Vatican has for many years endorsed the two-state solution, which Israel does not accept, as the only solution for the Arab-Israeli conflict.
“Blessed are the peacemakers,” says Pope Leo
On the first day of his Apolistic Journey in Lebanon, whose politics has for decades been characterized by sectarian division, Pope Leo emphasized the importance of peace not simply as “an aspiration, but a daily necessity rooted in the country’s complex social fabric and ongoing challenges.”
He also underlined dialogue as “the path that leads to reconciliation”, even amid disagreement.
“You are invested with authority in this country, each in your own area and with specific roles. It is in light of this authority that I wish to address to you the words of Jesus that have been chosen as the central theme of my journey: Blessed are the peacemakers!” The Pope said during a meeting with representatives from the Lebanese authorities, civil society, and diplomatic corps on Sunday.
Praising the resilience of the Lebanese people, who “do not give up” while confronting hardships, Pope Leo stated:
“In addition to Lebanon’s natural beauty and cultural riches, which have been praised by those of my predecessors who visited your country, there is a shining quality that distinguishes the Lebanese: you are a people who do not give up, but in the face of trials, always know how to rise again with courage. Your resilience is an essential characteristic of authentic peacemakers, for the work of peace is indeed a continuous starting anew.”
Pope Leo promoted inter-religious dialogue
On the second day of his visit, the head of the Catholic Church met with Christian and inter-religious leaders at Martyr’s Square in Beirut.
During the meeting, the Pope reiterated the church’s will to establish dialogue with followers of other religions, in order to achieve peace.
“May every bell toll, every adhān, every call to prayer blend into a single, soaring hymn – not only to glorify the merciful Creator of heaven and earth, but also to lift a heartfelt prayer for the divine gift of peace,” Pope Leo asserted.
The pontiff calls for peace in West Asia, Venezuela
During his departure flight, the pontiff urged US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, December 2 not to wage a war on Venezuela to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro.
Pope Leo also revealed that he has been involved in talks with Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt violence and seek solutions in the West Asia region.
Hezbollah calls on Pope Leo to reject unjust Israeli aggression on Lebanon
Hezbollah published a letter on Saturday, November 29, welcoming Pope Leo, and urging him to denounce the non-stop Israeli aggression on Lebanon.
The Lebanese resistance group also stressed that the ongoing tragedy in Gaza is a result of “the Zionist occupiers’ persistent usurpation of the Palestinian people’s rights.”
It further blamed the “international system” for refusing “to adopt the standards of justice and right in finding a solution to the ongoing conflict” in the West Asia region “between the rightful owners of the land and the usurping occupier.”
Hezbollah affirmed that the Lebanese people have endured the same suffering because Israel occupies parts of their land, while it continues to launch attacks against them and threatens their security and stability in their country.
“Undoubtedly, the Zionist occupation enjoys – unfortunately – unlimited support from major powers that share its tendency toward domination and covetousness of our country’s and region’s interests, with utter disregard for the rights of our people and the peoples of the region,” the group said.
“What the Israeli enemy has done in Gaza against the Palestinian people is a clear act of genocide,” and “what it is doing in Lebanon is a blatant and unacceptable act of aggression,” Hezbollah added.
Israel disturbs the papal visit with renewed aggression on southern Lebanon
A renewed Israeli aerial assault that targeted different areas of southern Lebanon coincided with the arrival of the pontiff in the Arab country, and continued throughout his visit.
These blatant violations have once again proved Israel’s indifference and lack of compliance to peace endeavors, and international norms.
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