Pope Leo XIV Urges Unity Through Humanity and Faith During Beirut Visit

Pope Leo XIV Urges Unity Through Humanity and Faith During Beirut Visit
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During his visit to Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV delivered a strong call for unity grounded in shared humanity and faith, emphasizing their role in overcoming divisions and crises in the Middle East, IQNA reported.

Speaking at Martyrs’ Square before an interfaith gathering of Muslim and Christian leaders, the Pope highlighted Lebanon as a living example of coexistence and resilience despite repeated regional conflicts.

“Fear, mistrust, and prejudice must not dictate the future,” Pope Leo XIV said, urging all religions to cooperate in defending human dignity and fostering fraternity. He praised Lebanon’s diverse religious communities for maintaining mutual respect and solidarity even in times of hardship.

Lebanese religious leaders echoed the Pope’s message. Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, vice-president of the Supreme Shiite Islamic Council, called the visit “an opportunity for hope and solidarity,” affirming the role of human fraternity in Islam. Syriac Patriarch Ignatius Ephrem II stressed interfaith cooperation to restore hope amid Lebanon’s economic and social challenges. Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Sami Abi-Al-Mona highlighted the moral principle that each spiritual community must protect others as it protects itself.

Pope Leo XIV also visited the Beirut port explosion site and met medical teams and patients, underscoring the importance of compassion and international support. His visit, widely welcomed by Muslims and Christians alike, was seen as a significant step toward strengthening national unity and promoting dialogue, fraternity, and resilience in a country facing profound external and internal pressures.