The last day of Pope Leo's visit and the "cry for peace" in the Middle East
In a speech on the last day of his visit to Lebanon, Pope Leo called on people to change the course of violence and open a new chapter of reconciliation.
In the final hours of his three-day visit to Beirut, Lebanon, Pope Leo witnessed a huge gathering of 150,000 Christians on Tuesday, December 2, equivalent to Azar 11, in which the leader of the Catholic Church once again raised his voice for "an end to the cycle of violence and revenge" in the Middle East.
Addressing the people and leaders of the region in this passionate gathering, Pope Leo said: "The Middle East today stands at a point that requires a new attitude, one in which violence is rejected and the bargain with revenge ends." He called on Christians in the region to show courage in order to achieve peace and reconciliation and to walk with hope on the path of reconciliation.
The world's Catholic leader, noting that he came to Lebanon with a spiritual intention and as a messenger of hope, emphasized: "I wanted to come to the Middle East as a pilgrim of hope and ask God for the gift of peace for this beloved land that is facing instability, war, and suffering."
In his speech, he explained that resolving regional crises would not be possible without overcoming political, religious and social divisions. Pope Leo added: “The Middle East needs new approaches to reject the mentality of revenge and violence, to overcome divisions and to open new chapters in the name of reconciliation and peace.”
The Pope, who had repeatedly mentioned "dear Lebanon" during his trip, emphasized this time as well: "I pray especially for dear Lebanon." He called on the international community not to fail in supporting the dialogue and reconciliation processes in this country and throughout the region.
Addressing the leaders and decision-makers of the region, both in Lebanon and in the territories still embroiled in war, the Catholic leader said: “Listen to the cry of your people who want peace.” Referring to the years of suffering and chaos caused by the war, he added: “The path of mutual hostility, destruction and war has gone on for too long, and its regrettable consequences are before everyone’s eyes. We must change course. We must educate our hearts for peace.”
Although the remarks were part of the Pope's official visit to Lebanon, his firm and forthright tone showed that the Vatican is concerned about the deepening crises in the Middle East. Church analysts say that Pope Leo's message was not just addressed to Christians, but was a moral and spiritual warning to all actors in the region, a warning that no future can be built on violence.
