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.”

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 recognize 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.”

Pope urges Lebanese Christians to seek fraternity and peace

Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his Mass in Beirut on Tuesday morning with an appeal for everyone to work for peace.

Recalling that he came to Lebanon as a pilgrim of hope, the Pope prayed for the gift of peace for “this beloved land, marked by instability, wars, and suffering.”

“Dear Christians of the Levant, when the results of your efforts for peace are slow in coming, I invite you to lift your gaze to the Lord who is coming!” he said. “Let us look to Him with hope and courage, inviting everyone to set out on the path of coexistence, fraternity and peace.”

He encouraged them to be “artisans of peace, heralds of peace, and witnesses of peace.”

Pope Leo noted that the Middle East requires new approaches to reset the mindset of revenge and violence, as well as to overcome divisions and build reconciliation and peace.

“The path of mutual hostility and destruction in the horror of war has been traveled too long, with the deplorable results that are before everyone's eyes,” he said. “We need to change course; we need to educate our hearts for peace.”

Pope Leo XIV then prayed for the Middle East and all peoples who suffer because of war.

“I also offer hopeful prayers for a peaceful solution to the current political disputes in Guinea-Bissau,” he said. “Nor do I forget the victims, and their dear families, of the fire in Hong Kong.”

The Pope prayed especially for Lebanon and called on the international community and politicians to spare no effort to promote dialogue and reconciliation in all places torn by war and violence.

In conclusion, Pope Leo urged Christians in the region to be courageous in the face of difficulty.

“Finally, to you, Christians of the Levant, citizens of these lands in every respect, I repeat: have courage!” he said. “The whole Church looks to you with affection and admiration. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Harissa, protect you always.”