December 2, 2025
Web desk
Pope Leo XIV met with senior leaders of Lebanon’s diverse religious communities on Monday, calling on them to unite against intolerance and promote peace. The meeting, held on the second day of his visit, was seen as a powerful display of interfaith solidarity.
Thousands of Lebanese citizens welcomed the American pontiff with great enthusiasm, waving Vatican flags and cheering along the routes of his motorcade despite intermittent rain. Many celebrated with traditional chants, ululations, and rice-throwing.
Addressing 16 representatives from Lebanon’s 18 officially recognised religious denominations, Pope Leo emphasized their responsibility as “builders of peace” who must confront intolerance, overcome violence, and reject exclusion. He stressed that Lebanon’s multicultural fabric is proof that unity and coexistence are possible even in difficult times.
The gathering, held in a marquee at Beirut’s Martyrs’ Square, featured a Quran recitation and speeches from Orthodox, Sunni, Shiite, Druze, and Alawite leaders. While Lebanon has long been hailed as a model of coexistence, deep sectarian rifts remain following the 1975–1990 civil war. Pope Leo arrived from Turkey on Sunday on his first foreign visit, carrying a message of hope for Lebanon’s youth amid the country’s ongoing crises.
