“Let us cast off the armor of our ethnic and political divisions, open our religious confessions to mutual encounter,” Leo said to Lebanon’s leaders. For the pontiff, peace must be both the goal and the means. About 150,000 people attended the final Mass on the waterfront. Last night, dinner was held at the nunciature with some Muslim religious leaders.
Silent prayer in front of the monument bearing the names of the more than 200 victims of the 2020 explosion. Kneeling in front of a child with a picture of his father who died in the tragedy. After five years, there are still obstacles to the investigation. The story of Nation Station, a kitchen set up in those days to feed those who had lost everything and which is trying to be a laboratory for the future.
Leo XIV calls for peace and dialogue among religions, meeting with Christian, Muslim, and Druze leaders. Lebanon is a "powerful example" of coexistence despite its economic crisis, political instability, and Israeli attacks. Like Saint John Paul II in 1980, he warned of the risks of its demise. But for some observers, he was even too soft on those undermining the country.
Leo XIV has arrived in Beirut, where he delivered his first address to the authorities, speaking about the resilience of the Land of the Cedars and the challenge of achieving reconciliation that goes beyond a mere balance of interests. “A culture of reconciliation cannot arise solely from the grassroots,” he warned. “Ask yourselves: what can be done so that young people are not forced to emigrate?”
An Israeli air raid struck an apartment on the southern outskirts of Beirut. The target was Haytham Ali Tabataba'i, chief of staff of the pro-Iranian party. Washington and Tel Aviv are against the Lebanese leadership, which has not yet managed to disarm Hezbollah. The Pope's imminent visit rules out any immediate escalation, but fears for the future remain.
Traditionally a moment of joy and sharing between generations, olive harvesting has collapsed due to the war between Hezbollah and Israel. The Israeli military, which launched fresh attacks in the area yesterday, is stifling any attempts at recovery and preventing the reconstruction of border villages and the regeneration of the land. Despite such difficulties, for farmers, the olive season is a way of affirming, “we still exist”.
