Pope Leo XIV ends a three-day visit to Lebanon on Tuesday, bringing his 6-day apostolic visit to Lebanon and Turkey to a close.
The pontiff departed Beirut after an official farewell ceremony at Beirut International Airport attended by President Joseph Aoun, Premier Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri.
“Your Holiness, this visit will remain etched in the memory of Lebanon and its people,” President Aoun said upon bidding farewell to Pope.
“We have heard your message and will continue to embody it, and we cherish the hope of always being in your prayers,” the Lebanese president added.
Pope Leo XIV bid farewell to Lebanon and departed from Beirut International Airport at 13:48 local time. He is scheduled to arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport at 16:10 local time. pic.twitter.com/3F2s4rSB20
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) December 2, 2025
The Pope hoped “to involve the entire Middle East in this spirit of fraternity and commitment to peace, including those who currently consider themselves enemies.”
And he extended greetings to all regions of Lebanon, including those he could not visit: “Tripoli and the north, the Beqaa and the south of the country, which is currently experiencing a state of conflict and uncertainty.”
Calling for an end to hostilities, he said: “We must recognize that armed struggle brings no benefit. While weapons are lethal, negotiation, mediation and dialogue are constructive. Let us all choose peace as a way, not just as a goal!”
The Pope further invoked the words of Saint John Paul II: “Lebanon is more than a country; it is a message!”
Silent Prayer
Earlier on Tuesday, Pope Leo recited a silent prayer in front of the memorial wall bearing the names of the 245 martyrs and victims of the August 4 Beirut Port blast in Beirut.
He then greeted and shook hands with the families of the victims.
A celebratory mass was then held at the Beirut waterfront, in which Pope Leo XIV urged the Lebanese people to hold onto gratitude despite life’s hardships, saying: “At times, under the weight of life’s difficulties, we tend to give in rather than give thanks. I urge you, people of Lebanon, to always preserve a spirit of gratitude.”
The last big event of Pope Leo’s first apostolic journey abroad was presiding over Mass at Beirut’s Waterfront. Pope Leo expressed his gratitude for the joyful welcome he received in the country, praising God for allowing him to visit.
Despite the difficult situations many… pic.twitter.com/DsUcvlXpIE — Vatican News (@VaticanNews) December 2, 2025
He continued: “We are called not to despair.” Acknowledging Lebanon’s deep struggles, he noted that “this beauty is overshadowed by poverty, suffering, political instability, economic crisis, violence, and conflict.”
The Pope concluded with a powerful call: “Do not despair. I say to Lebanon: rise and be a sign of peace in the East.”
Source: Lebanese media (edited and translated by Al-Manar)