Pope Leo conducts mass in Beirut and visits site of port explosion

Tens of thousands of faithful gathered along Beirut's waterfront on Tuesday morning to attend a mass led by Pope Leo XIV, marking the pinnacle of his visit to Lebanon's capital. As he arrived for the service, the pontiff navigated through the elated crowd in his popemobile, with many presenting him with roses.

The pope, who arrived from Turkey on Sunday for his first foreign trip since becoming pontiff, carried a message of hope, especially directed toward Lebanons youth, whose confidence in their troubled nation has waned. His visit has offered a brief respite for citizens still reeling from last years conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, amid fears of renewed hostilities.

"We came with joy to witness this heavenly celebration," shared Samira Khoury, who arrived early for the mass, which saw more than 120,000 registered attendees. "The pope fills our hearts with joy and peace and strengthens our hope," she added.

Earlier in the day, Pope Leo visited the site of the catastrophic Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020, which claimed over 220 lives, injured more than 6,500, and caused widespread devastation. At the memorial, with remnants of shipping containers and rubble surrounding the area, he lit a lamp after a silent prayer and interacted with survivors and families of the victims, including children holding photographs of lost loved ones.

Cecile Roukoz, a lawyer who lost her brother in the explosion, expressed gratitude for the popes visit. "We are thankful that he raises his voice for justice, which we desperately need for our brothers and all victims of the explosion," she said.

Worshippers began arriving before dawn from across Lebanon and even from countries like Syria and the United States. "Seeing the joy and hope in the peoples eyes gives me confidence for Lebanons future," said 22-year-old Elias Fadel. "I hope there will be no more war." Migrant workers from nations such as the Philippines and Sri Lanka also joined the gathering. The city center was largely closed to traffic, with soldiers stationed nearby to maintain order.

Sandra Naim, 37, remarked, "I wish for lasting peace in this beautiful country that brings together all religions and sects." Beatrice Doumet, 26, added, "We need this moment of hope and reassurance during these uncertain times."

Pope Leos first stop on Tuesday was a psychiatric hospital run by nuns near Beirut, where he was warmly welcomed by staff and patients with applause and rose petals. Marie Makhlouf, mother superior of the Franciscan Sisters of the Cross, thanked the pope for being "a father to the forgotten, the abandoned, and the marginalized." The pope praised the hospitals mission, emphasizing the importance of caring for societys most vulnerable.

"We cannot overlook those who are fragile. A society cannot advance while ignoring poverty and vulnerability," he stated.

To date, no one has been held accountable for the Beirut port blast, one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. Officials confirmed the disaster resulted from a fire in a warehouse storing large quantities of ammonium nitrate, despite repeated warnings. Political interference has hindered the investigation.

On Monday, the pope addressed an interreligious gathering of Christian and Muslim leaders, urging action against intolerance and violence. He also received an enthusiastic welcome from around 15,000 young people at Bkerke, the Maronite Churchs headquarters, encouraging them to "be the source of hope that the country needs."

Author: Sophia Brooks