At the start of his Apostolic Journey in Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV addressed Lebanon’s civil authorities, representatives of civil society, and the diplomatic corps at the Presidential Palace in Beirut, giving his first speech on Lebanese soil.

In his address on the central theme of  his journey, “Blessed are the peacemakers”, the Holy Father underlined that peace in Lebanon is not simply an aspiration, but a daily necessity rooted in the country’s complex social fabric and ongoing challenges.

He reminded Lebanon’s leaders that peace in their country is not an abstraction but “a desire and a vocation” that must be built daily.

Lebanese resilience

Highlighting the perseverance of the Lebanese people, the Pope noted that they “do not give up” even in the face of hardship.

He described this resilience as a foundation for rebuilding and moving forward, adding that it is essential for those responsible for shaping Lebanon’s future.

Calling on leaders to remain closely connected to their people, especially the younger generations, he urged them to speak “the language of hope,” which has enabled Lebanon “always to start again.”

Reconciliation and truth

Pope Leo went on to emphasize that sustainable peace requires confronting past wounds, insisting that reconciliation must be pursued with patience and honesty.

“There are personal and collective wounds that take many years, sometimes entire generations, to heal,” he said.

He stressed that truth and reconciliation “only ever grow together,” and warned against remaining “imprisoned by our own pain and our own way of thinking.”

Institutions, he added, must priorities the common good, which he described as “more than the sum of many interests.”

The challenge of emigration

The Holy Father went on to speak about the ongoing emigration of young people, acknowledging the uncertainty and difficulty that drive many to leave.

He emphasized that while the Lebanese diaspora brings many benefits, “the Church does not want anyone to be forced to leave their country.”

He underscored the need for conditions that allow young people to stay and build their future at home, and he invited Lebanon to avoid both “sectionalism” and “nationalism.”

Quoting Fratelli tutti, he reminded leaders of the importance of holding together both local identity and global openness, noting that these are “two inseparable and equally vital poles in every society.”

Women and young people 

Recognizing the contributions of women to society, the Pope said women possess a “special capacity for peace-making,” rooted in their ability to support and strengthen bonds within society. Their participation, he said, is a “factor of true renewal.”

Young people who remain or return to Lebanon, he added, contribute decisively to ensuring that the country “may once again be a land full of life.”

Shared responsibility for peace

Concluding his address, Pope Leo XIV reminded those present that peace requires active commitment from leaders and institutions alike.