Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his historic visit to Lebanon on Tuesday with heartfelt remarks at Beirut Airport, urging dialogue, reconciliation, and a renewed commitment to peace across the Middle East.

At the official farewell, President Joseph Aoun praised the Pope’s visit as a lasting symbol for Lebanon and its people.

“This visit will remain etched in the memory of Lebanon and its people,” Aoun said. “You have come carrying a message of peace, calling for reconciliation, and showing that this small country, despite its size, continues to serve as a model of coexistence.”

He added that the Pope’s personal engagement had left a deep impression.

“Through your words and your meetings, we felt your love for this country and your sincere desire for Lebanon—the land of the message and openness—to remain a homeland of freedom for everyone.”

“The Lebanese people welcomed you warmly across all communities, reflecting their longing for peace,” Aoun continued. “We hope to remain in your prayers. We have heard your message, and we will continue to live by it.”

Concluding his remarks, the president emphasized the Pope’s call for unity.

“You called for reconciliation and reminded us that Lebanon still stands as a model of coexistence and human values. We felt your deep affection for our country and its people.”

For his part, Pope Leo reflected on his experiences in Lebanon and the challenges facing the region.

“Departing is often more difficult than arriving. We have spent time together, and in Lebanon, this spirit of encounter is contagious. Here, I have found that people enjoy coming together rather than being isolated,” he said.

The Pope noted the personal and spiritual impact of his visit: “While arriving in your country meant gently entering into your culture, leaving this land means carrying you in my heart. Thus, we are not leaving each other; rather, having met, we will move forward together. We hope to involve the entire Middle East in this spirit of fraternity and commitment to peace, including those who currently consider themselves enemies.”

Pope Leo expressed gratitude for the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Pope Francis, and to witness Lebanon’s enduring faith.

“I am grateful for the days spent with you, and I am pleased that I could fulfill the desire of my beloved predecessor, Pope Francis, who would have loved to be here to serve, guide, and witness to the gospel, which awaits us in God’s eternal embrace. We are heirs to what they believed: the faith, hope, and love that inspired them.”

He highlighted Lebanon’s deep spiritual traditions, noting the devotion of its people to the Blessed Virgin Mary, revered by Christians and Muslims alike, and the enduring influence of Saint Charbel.

“Your history is a valuable source of strength that can sustain you on the difficult journey toward the future,” he said.

Recalling his visit to Beirut’s port, devastated by a catastrophic explosion in 2020, the Pope paid tribute to the victims and expressed solidarity with affected families.

“I prayed for all the victims, and I carry with me the pain and the thirst for truth and justice of so many families and of an entire country,” he said.

“You are as strong as the cedars that populate your beautiful mountains, as enduring as the olive trees that grow in the plains, in the south, and near the sea,” he said, extending greetings to regions he could not visit, including Tripoli, the North, the Beqaa, the South, and Tyre. He also acknowledged areas currently experiencing conflict and uncertainty, expressing his aspiration for peace and calling for an end to hostilities.

The Pope urged leaders and citizens alike to embrace dialogue over violence.

“We must recognize that struggles bring no benefit while weapons are lethal. Negotiation, mediation, and dialogue are constructive. Let us all choose peace as a way, and not just as a goal,” he said, citing Saint John Paul II’s words: “Lebanon is more than a country; it is a message.”

Concluding his remarks, Pope Leo called for collective hope and action.

“Let us learn to work together and hope together so that this may indeed become a reality. May God bless the Lebanese people, all of you, the Middle East, and all humanity.”

🇱🇧 Fin du voyage apostolique de #LéonXIV : le Pape quitte le #Liban après un dernier salut aux personnes venues l’accompagner à l’aéroport international de #Beyrouth.

👉 Sur KTO et https://t.co/EyB0bxECZP#PapeAuLiban pic.twitter.com/UcSeTVM0Dv

— KTOTV (@KTOTV) December 2, 2025