The first American pope in history just wrapped up a six-day journey through Turkey and Lebanon. It was supposed to be a religious pilgrimage. It turned into something much bigger.
Pope Leo XIV returned to Rome yesterday after visiting sites that span two thousand years of Christian history, meeting with political leaders, and drawing an estimated 150,000 people to Mass on Beirut's waterfront. But what stayed with me wasn't the crowds or the ceremonies — it was the quiet moments.
Standing At The Beirut Port
Yesterday morning, Pope Leo visited the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion that killed over 220 people and devastated the city. He prayed silently, lit a lamp at the memorial, and spoke individually with survivors and families of victims.
"We are very grateful for this visit," said Cecile Roukoz, a lawyer whose brother died in the blast. "We know that he raises his voice" for justice. Five years later, no official has been convicted. The investigation keeps getting blocked.
In his homily at the waterfront Mass, Leo called for Lebanon to be "a place where peace and justice reign." He acknowledged feeling "paralyzed by powerlessness in the face of evil" but urged the faithful not to give up hope. "Lebanon — stand up!" he said. "Be a home of justice and fraternity!"
The Bigger Picture
Lebanon has the largest Christian community in the Middle East, but that community is shrinking fast. Economic collapse, the port explosion, and last year's war with Israel have driven waves of emigration. The roads the papal convoy drove on had been abandoned mid-construction during the financial crisis — workers only finished paving them for the Pope's visit.
Leo couldn't visit southern Lebanon because of ongoing Israeli airstrikes. Israel's deadline for Hezbollah to disarm by year's end is unlikely to be met. Many Lebanese who welcomed the Pope feared his departure would be a prelude to intensified attacks.
Working Behind The Scenes
On the flight back to Rome, Pope Leo told reporters he's been having "a few conversations" with political leaders about ending Israel's strikes on Lebanon. He wouldn't share details but confirmed the Vatican is working "behind the scenes."
This trip fulfilled a promise Pope Francis made before his death in April. Francis wanted to visit Lebanon for years but couldn't as his health declined. Leo picked up where he left off — and in doing so, put the spotlight back on a region the world keeps forgetting about until the next crisis hits.