• Pope Leo XIV calls on Lebanon's leaders to prioritize peace and reconciliation.
• The pontiff emphasizes the need for Lebanese to remain in their country despite ongoing crises.
• His visit aims to support Lebanon's vulnerable Christian community affected by ongoing conflicts.

Pope Leo XIV traveled to Lebanon on June 30, where he is appealing for peace in a country facing continued Israeli airstrikes and internal divisions stemming from a lengthy economic crisis. The pope's first overseas trip as leader of the Catholic Church follows a four-day visit to Turkey, where he warned that the future of humanity is at risk due to numerous conflicts, including those rooted in religious violence, according to South China Morning Post.

Upon arrival in Beirut, Pope Leo emphasized to Lebanese officials the importance of staying in their homeland through difficult times. He urged them to choose reconciliation over emigration, stating, “It takes real courage and foresight to stay or return to one's own country,” during his address at the presidential palace. His messages were well received amid fears of heightened conflict following a recent war with Israel, according to Le Monde and Los Angeles Times.

Pope Leo, fulfilling a promise made by his predecessor, urged Lebanon's leaders to "put their differences aside" to become true peacemakers. He acknowledged the immense suffering borne by the Lebanese people due to an economy in collapse and ongoing conflicts, reiterating the need for a culture of reconciliation led by their leaders. “You have suffered greatly... but you have always wanted... to start again,” he remarked at the presidential palace, reflecting the hope shared by many in the Lebanese community, according to Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

Highlighting the significance of his mission, Pope Leo will engage with various religious leaders from Lebanon's diverse communities to foster interreligious dialogue and support local humanitarian efforts amid escalating violence, including near-daily airstrikes by Israel targeting Hezbollah. His itinerary includes a prayer at the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, symbolizing resilience in the face of national tragedies, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.