Pope concludes Lebanon visit with quiet prayer at location of 2020 port blast

BEIRUT, Lebanon On the final day of his visit to Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute at the site of the catastrophic 2020 Beirut port explosion, pausing for a moment of silent reflection. During his visit, he was also anticipated to meet with family members of some of the 218 victims who lost their lives in the blast, which destroyed large parts of the city and caused billions of dollars in damage when hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse detonated.

Five years later, families of the victims continue to demand accountability, as no officials have been held responsible amid repeated obstructions of the judicial process. The tragedy has fueled public outrage in Lebanon, where citizens have long faced systemic corruption and financial misconduct.

Upon arriving in Lebanon, Pope Leo called on political leaders to pursue justice as a pathway toward peace and national reconciliation. He began his final day with a visit to De La Croix hospital, which provides specialized care for individuals with mental health challenges, and was scheduled to conclude his trip with a Mass along the Beirut waterfront before departing for Rome.

The popes visit carried a broader message of peace and unity, as Lebanon continues to grapple with ongoing economic and political instability, highlighted by the devastating port explosion. On Monday, he also led a gathering of Christian and Muslim religious leaders, emphasizing interfaith harmony as a symbol of hope and stability in a region often marked by conflict.

Author: Sophia Brooks