Pope concludes his visit to Lebanon with messages calling for peace.

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

Pope Francis concluded his historic three-day visit to Lebanon on Tuesday, his first foreign trip since taking office, dedicating it to calling for peace in the Middle East and warning of the escalating dangers of bloody conflicts to the future of humanity. The Pope, the first American to hold the position, led a moving prayer at the site of the Beirut port explosion that shook the Lebanese capital in 2020, and presided over a massive Mass on the Beirut waterfront attended by more than 100,000 people. He then departed for Rome at 11:15 GMT. A Peace Mission in the Heart of the Storm The Pope described his visit as a "peace mission," during which he called on Lebanese leaders to adhere to dialogue and renounce violence, in light of what he described as "the real danger threatening the future of humanity due to wars and sectarian conflicts." He stressed the need to end the ongoing violence, in reference to the renewed tension between Israel and Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. A Call for Unity Between Religions In a meeting yesterday, Monday, with leaders of Christian and Islamic denominations in Lebanon, the Pope made a strong call for national and religious unity, saying: "We must show the world that the followers of different religions are able to live together and build a nation based on mutual respect and dialogue." He pointed out that Lebanon, which is facing suffocating political and economic crises and increasing waves of emigration, urgently needs internal cohesion to restore hope to its people. He continued: "What unites the Lebanese is more than what divides them, and the wounds of this country can only be healed with love and forgiveness, not with division and hatred." His Visit Receives Global Attention The visit witnessed widespread international attention, as it is the first time that the new Pope has left Italy to deliver his sermons and interact with an audience of diverse affiliations and cultures. His tour also included Turkey, as part of a broader Vatican move to promote interfaith dialogue in the Middle East. The visit concluded amid widespread popular and official welcome, with hopes that the Pope's words will contribute to reviving the spirit of national and religious understanding in Lebanon, which is still suffering from accumulated crises that threaten its future and stability.