Pope Leo at Beirut farewell: 'Choose peace as a way, not just a goal'
Before taking off for Rome at Beirut’s airport, Pope Leo XIV
concludes his Apostolic Journey to Türkiye and Lebanon, calling for dialogue,
fraternity, and reconciliation across the Middle East and expressing his hope
that those who “currently consider themselves enemies” may embrace a spirit of
fraternity and commitment to peace.
By Linda Bordoni
Following an official “Farewell Ceremony” at Beirut’s Rafic
Hariri International Airport on Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV concluded his Apostolic
Journey to Türkiye and Lebanon on Tuesday, highlighting a vision of fraternity
and peace for the entire region.
“We hope to involve the entire Middle East in this spirit of
fraternity and commitment to peace, including those who currently consider
themselves enemies,” the Pope said, bringing his 6-day apostolic visit to a
close.
Looking
back at the last three days in Lebanon, he highlighted the
country’s rich spiritual heritage and the resilience of its people and upheld
the deep veneration for the Blessed Virgin Mary shared by both Christians and
Muslims.
Pope Leo specifically recalled his visit to the tomb of
Saint Charbel, noting that Lebanon’s history provides sustenance for the
journey toward a peaceful future.
He did not neglect to address the ongoing challenges facing
the country and expressed his solidarity with victims of the Beirut port
explosion, saying, “I carry with me the pain, and the thirst for truth and
justice, of so many families, of an entire country.”
Choose peace as a way, not just a goal
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
recognise 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!”
“Let us learn to work together and hope together, so that
this may become a reality.”
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