January 1, Pope Leo XIV Visits Lebanon Sparks Hope

Wyatt’s Take

• Pope Leo XIV highlights Lebanon’s interfaith unity.
• Crowds brave rain to greet the first American pope.
• Leaders call for peace in troubled times.

Pope Leo XIV visited Lebanon, celebrating its mix of faiths and asking for peace with Christian and Muslim leaders by his side.

He received a warm welcome from both crowds and spiritual leaders, as people lined the streets, some tossing flower petals and rice.

This is Pope Leo XIV’s first overseas trip as the first American pope. He came to Lebanon for its unique religious tolerance in the Arab world.

The center of his visit was an interfaith gathering in Beirut’s Martyr’s Square, where he called Lebanon a beacon of peace after prayers and readings with leaders from different faiths.

“In an age when coexistence can seem like a distant dream, the people of Lebanon, while embracing different religions, stand as a powerful reminder that fear, distrust and prejudice do not have the final word, and that unity, reconciliation, and peace are possible,” he said.

The event ended with spiritual leaders planting an olive sapling as a sign of peace.

Lebanon, now seen as a model for religious coexistence, still remembers its civil war, which was fought along religious lines.

The pope’s visit comes while Lebanon faces economic struggles and political tension, and is seen as a sign of hope to many.

“We, as Lebanese, need this visit after all the wars, crises and despair that we have lived through,” said Rev. Youssef Nasr.

There are ongoing divides over groups like Hezbollah and worries about attacks from Israel, despite a ceasefire.

Sunni Muslim Mufti Abdul-Latif Derian highlighted Lebanon as a message of peace, and Shiite cleric Ali al-Khatib called on the pope to help stop attacks on Lebanon.

“We put Lebanon in your hands so that maybe the world helps us,” al-Khatib said.

The pope started his day with a prayer at the tomb of St. Charbel Makhlouf, a saint respected across different religions.

He traveled to the monastery in Annaya, where many, both Christian and Muslim, visit every year, giving a lamp as a gift symbolizing hope.

Security was tight, but Lebanese people shared videos of the pope’s welcome with pride, especially after his own words encouraged them: “Well, we’re going.”

He wrapped up the day meeting enthusiastic youth at Bkerki, showing there’s still spirit and faith left in Lebanon.

Read more at Fox News

Wyatt Matters

Pope Leo XIV’s message in Lebanon is a reminder that faith and unity can help folks get through hard times, just like families across Middle America hold together. Even when troubles come, coming together in hope and prayer lights a path forward.