Latest News: Pope Leo concludes his first foreign trip with a silent prayer at the site of the Beirut blast and a Mass at the port.

Pope Leo XIV quietly prayed at the location of the 2020 Beirut port disaster as he concluded his inaugural international journey to Turkey and Lebanon on Tuesday. During his visit, he was scheduled to meet family members of some of the 218 victims of the August 4, 2020 explosion.

The blast, caused by the detonation of hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse, devastated Beirut and inflicted damages amounting to billions of dollars. Despite ongoing investigations, no official has been held accountable, sparking frustration among Lebanese citizens who have endured years of corruption and economic mismanagement.

Upon his arrival in Lebanon on Sunday, Pope Leo encouraged the nations political leaders to seek truth and justice as a path toward peace and national reconciliation. His visit aimed to deliver a message of hope as Lebanon continues to navigate prolonged economic and political challenges.

On the final day of his visit, the pope began with a tour of De La Croix Hospital, which provides specialized care for individuals with mental health conditions. He was expected to conclude his stay with a Mass along the Beirut waterfront before returning to Rome.

On Monday, Pope Leo led a gathering of Lebanons Christian and Muslim religious leaders, highlighting the countrys tradition of interfaith harmony as a symbol of peace in a region often affected by conflict.

Remembering the Beirut Victims

At the Beirut blast site, Pope Leo XIV offered a moment of silent prayer and met with some relatives of the 218 people who lost their lives. Five years after the catastrophe, the absence of convictions in a judicial investigation that has faced repeated obstacles continues to frustrate Lebanese citizens, for whom the tragedy represents yet another crisis in a long history of corruption and financial scandal.

Author: Sophia Brooks