Pope ends Lebanon trip with tribute to Aug. 4 victims and Beirut mass with message of peace | LIVE

Wrapping up our live coverage of the pope's visit to Lebanon

As we bring this blog to a close, we thank you for following our live coverage of the third and final day of Pope Leo XIV's historic visit to Lebanon.

The fourth visit ever by a pontiff to Lebanon, Leo XIV's various meetings, encounters and speeches over the course of the last three days were all marked by a message of peace.

Ahmad Hajjar thanks law enforcement agencies 'for their significant and exceptional efforts at every stage' of Leo XIV's visit

Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar thanked security forces "for their significant and exceptional efforts at every stage and for every detail of the visit," in a message from his ministry also published on X."

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the security services — the Internal Security Forces, General Security, and Civil Defense — who worked alongside the Lebanese Army, as well as the mohafez [governor] and various municipalities, for their significant and exceptional efforts at every stage and in every detail of accompanying this visit," he wrote.

"I would like to extend my special thanks to the officers, members of the security forces, and volunteers who, with professionalism, precision and discipline, ensured security and order, regulated traffic and facilitated citizens' access to the meeting places," added Hajjar.

'The pope has entrusted us with the call for peace,' Rajji says after his departure

"We bid farewell to His Holiness the pope, who has entrusted us with the call for peace...Blessed are the peacemakers," commented Foreign Minister Joe Rajji, who is close to the Lebanese Forces (LF), on X, echoing the theme of the visit to Lebanon chosen by Pope Leo XIV.

'The Church urges Hezbollah to lay down its arms and engage in dialogue,' says the pope

"The Church urges Hezbollah to lay down its arms and engage in dialogue," Pope Leo XIV said in statements to Sky News.

The pope had not spoken publicly on the subject during his three-day visit to Lebanon. He also said that the Vatican was calling on all parties engaged in the conflict "to renounce arms and violence and move towards dialogue," and that "seeking solutions that are not based on violence, but are more effective, is a good thing for the Lebanese people."

"I have read Hezbollah's letter and I prefer not to comment," the Pontiff also said.

On Saturday, the day before his arrival, Hezbollah had welcomed Pope Leo XIV's visit to Lebanon and sent him a letter calling on him to "take a stand against injustice and Israeli attacks" on the country.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon: 'I will continue to talk with leaders to bring about peace,' says pope upon arrival in Rome

The pope has landed in Rome at 3:57 p.m. local time, according to the Vatican's Italian X account.

Upon his arrival, in response to a question from the Lebanese channel LBCI about "conveying the Lebanese people's cry to Donald Trump to end Israeli aggression" in Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV replied: "I have spoken, and will continue to speak, with leaders to bring about peace," the channel reported.

U.S. ambassador to Lebanon says he 'joins the pope in efforts to promote coexistence and peace in the region'

The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon said it joins the pope "in efforts to promote coexistence and peace in the region" in a message posted on its X account as Pope Leo XIV's plane departed for Rome.

"Ambassador Michel Issa was honored to participate in Lebanon's welcome for His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. His visit is a recognition of Lebanon's rich history, vibrant culture and the resilient spirit of its people. We join [Pope Leo XVI] in his efforts to promote coexistence and peace in the region," wrote the U.S. Embassy.

Pope Leo XIV expresses his 'deep gratitude for the warm welcome' of the Lebanese people

Following his departure from Beirut, Pope Leo XIV sent a final message to the Lebanese president via the LBCI television channel.

"As I return to Rome at the end of my apostolic journey, I wish to express once again to Your Excellency, to the authorities and to the people of Lebanon my deep gratitude for the warm welcome I received during my visit, assuring you of my constant prayers for peace, unity, and prosperity for the nation," said the pontiff.

Pope Leo XIV’s plane has taken off from Beirut and is heading to Rome, after a three-day visit to Lebanon.

The door of the papal plane closed on the tarmac of Beirut Rafic Hariri Airport, after final handshakes with the political and religious leaders present at the farewell ceremony.

Pope Leo’s farewell message: 'As I leave this land, I carry you in my heart'

Pope Leo XIV delivered an emotional farewell message at Beirut International Airport as he concluded his three-day visit to Lebanon.
“As I leave this land, I carry you in my heart. We will continue working together for peace throughout the Middle East. I am grateful for these days spent with you and glad to have fulfilled the wish of my predecessor Francis, who longed to come to your country,” he said.

He recalled witnessing “the devotion of your people to the Virgin, Christians and Muslims alike,” and spoke of praying at Saint Charbel’s shrine and being “deeply moved” by his visit to the port.

“I leave carrying the sorrow and the search for truth of all these families,” he said, referring to the victims of the Beirut port explosion.

“You are as strong as the cedars,” the Pope told the Lebanese. He expressed regret for the regions he could not visit, “especially the South, which lives in instability,” and voiced hope that hostilities would cease: “Armed conflicts bring no solution.”

Quoting John Paul II, he concluded: “Lebanon is more than a country, it is a message. Let us work together to make this a reality.”

President Joseph Aoun: 'Your message has been received — this people deserves life and peace'

Seated beside the pope during the farewell ceremony, President Joseph Aoun paid tribute to the historic visit. “This visit will remain in the memory of Lebanon and its people. You conveyed a message of hope and peace,” he said.

“You came to Lebanon with a message of peace and reconciliation, affirming that this small country remains an example of unity and coexistence. We sensed your desire to see this nation remain a haven of reconciliation and peace. I assure you that your message has been well received and that we will continue to pursue peace.”

He concluded with an appeal: “We hope to remain in your prayers, because this faithful people deserves life and peace.”

Farewell ceremony for the pope at Beirut Airport, attended by Joseph Aoun

The pope has arrived at Beirut Rafic Hariri Airport for an official ceremony marking the end of his three-day visit to Lebanon.

The farewell event is being held in the presence of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and numerous religious dignitaries.

A military band is performing the Vatican and Lebanese national anthems.

From Baalbeck to witness pope’s visit

Zeina Harb, 33, arrived from Baalbeck three days ago and stayed with relatives in Baabda to attend the pope’s events.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event that no one, regardless of their background, should miss,” she said. “I was born in Baalbeck, raised in Burj al-Barajneh, and played basketball in Ain al-Remeneh.

This is the interreligious message of coexistence we want to deliver to the pope: we are him, and he is us. His message of peace is our hope.”

Father Abou Elias Eddo from Baraachite shares moving reflections on Pope’s visit

Father Abou Elias Eddo, who traveled from Baraachite, described the emotions stirred by Pope Leo XIV’s visit: “Feelings cannot be described.

When the head of the Catholic Church comes with such humility and faith to Lebanon… We are talking about His Holiness! We have been through so many trials.

He managed to touch our hearts, bring the Lebanese people closer together. He gave us a lot of hope, to us Christians, by reminding us of the meaning of our faith.”

He also noted the symbolic timing of the visit, just before Christmas, as a special blessing for the birth of Jesus.

Father shares awe at pope’s mass in Beirut

A father walks forward, pushing the stroller where his little daughter is seated.

"The feeling is indescribable. It’s rare to experience something like this, with all these people and the Pope’s presence," he tells L'Orient Today.

He says he was filled with "a very beautiful energy. These feelings, these emotions… it’s so beautiful. I feel like I’ve been transported to another universe."

The faithful are now heading towards the different areas designated for boarding the buses, while others are returning home on foot, especially those who live in the capital after the grand mass, our correspondent on the ground reported.

'I hope his visit brings protection and peace to the country', said a mass attendee

(Credit: Tasnim Chaaban/L'Orient Today)

Serge, 19, and Serena, 16, both attended the Pope’s arrival in Hadath and are here today to bid him farewell. “I have always been a believer, and I attend church every Sunday, so I felt the need to see him,” Serge said.

Serena added: “I hope his visit brings protection and peace to the country.”

Souad, Serge, and Serena’s mother, says, “I hope he shows the world Lebanon, how we live in national unity and coexist with one another.”

She points to the visibly intermixed communities waiting to see him leave the airport. “I hope this trip helps protect Lebanon,” she adds.

A farewell from officials

Lebanese officials arrived at the airport including Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, as Pope Leo leaves the country after his historic three-day visit.

Employees from the US embassy attend the mass

(Credit: Yara Sarkiss/L'Orient Today)

Five Indian employees from the American embassy also made the trip. They speak of a “sense of peace,” describe themselves as “excited” to have seen the Pope, and say they feel “relieved and blessed.”

Alex, another embassy employee and an American, admits he hesitated for a long time before coming. “In the end, I’m glad I attended the Mass. Being here and experiencing this… and then I discovered that he’s American, just like me!”

'A very positive impression'

Coming from Baabda, Elie says the day left him with “a very positive impression.”

“It was beautiful. We were very moved when we saw the pope praying at the Port of Beirut, because we were following the scene on the big screen at the Waterfront,” he said.

He also highlighted the availability of Leon XIV: “The pope gave us so much of his time!”

On the logistical side, he praised the flawless organization: “It was very well organized. Everything ran on time, exactly as planned.”

'Very well organized': A family experience at the Beirut waterfront mass

A mother, holding her two children by the hand and wearing a white scarf with the pope’s image around her neck, praised the organization of the event. “It was very well organized. There were even buses that picked us up from the start. The seating was perfect, water bottles were available, everything was great,” she said.

She also highlighted the atmosphere of the mass, describing it as very devout and sincere, creating a meaningful experience for everyone in attendance.

Waiting for the pope: A family’s experience at Beirut airport

Pamela Sfeir, 33, a mother of four from Kesrouan, came to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo XIV.

She initially tried to wait for him at the airport entrance but was redirected for security reasons to a spot further down the highway.

“I came because my children asked to see the pope. They told me they want to see him face to face, not only on TV. We’re going to try to wait a little further down,” she explained.

Reflecting on the visit, she said, “The visit was wonderful, everything about it, but what I liked the most was the meeting with the youth. I think that meeting was very important, and what was said there — the promises made by the youth — they are the spirit of the country. I hope the visit brings some peace for Lebanon.”

As the family waited, her children spotted an army helicopter overhead.
“Woooow, that’s for the pope!” exclaimed her 6-year-old daughter. Her 4-year-old son jumped with excitement, shouting, “I can’t wait to see him!”

Syrian scouts experience the pope’s visit in Beirut

A dozen Syrian scouts in their twenties, the Fursan al-Mahabba group from Aleppo, spent the night at the Deir Em Allah convent in Achkout before heading to the Beirut Waterfront.

They arrived in Lebanon by bus as part of a convoy of 300 people from Syria, accompanied by Father Makarios Kalloume.

The day before, they had gone to Bkirki to take part in the youth gathering, our correspondent on the ground reported.

As they left the mass, they shared their impressions: “This is the first time we have attended an event of this scale. The organization was good, especially considering the large number of people,” they explained. On site, they were able to meet other scout groups from across the country.

For 23-year-old Pamela, the Pope’s visit goes beyond Lebanon’s borders: “The Pope came for the entire Middle East, including Syria, not only for Lebanon. It’s the first time we’ve felt such fervor among everyone. We all felt united. It was so beautiful.”

Leo XIV: 'I call on the international community to spare no effort to encourage peace processes'

“It is time to change course; there is too much suffering in the East. It is time to educate minds for peace. I pray for peace and for dear Lebanon, and I call on the international community to spare no effort to encourage peace processes and for all political leaders to heed your calls for peace. And to the Christians of the Levant, I repeat: be courageous! The whole Church looks upon you with admiration”, the Pope said.

Pope Leo at the end of the Beirut mass: Be artisans and witnesses of peace

At the conclusion of the mass, Pope Leo reiterated that he came “as a pilgrim of hope to this Middle East marked by war and suffering.”

He urged, “Dear Christians of the Levant, I invite you to look to the heavens to see the Lord coming. Be artisans of peace, heralds of peace, witnesses of peace.”

Rai to Pope: 'You remind us that our mission is to build bridges'

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai thanked Pope Leo XIV for his visit and the mass, saying he felt “honored on behalf of the Catholic bishops and the Catholic religious community to express our joy and gratitude for your presence among us.”

He added that the papal visit “strengthens our determination to work for peace.”

“You strongly remind us that our mission in these difficult times is to build bridges,” he said. “Thank you for who you are, for your blessing, your love, and your paternal closeness,” the patriarch concluded.

'Inshallah there will be peace,' says a worshipper during communion

During communion at the Beirut Waterfront mass, Habib Mouawad, who came from Hadath in Mount Lebanon with his parish, said he “prayed for peace.”

“Inchallah, inchallah, may there be peace,” he told our correspondent, attending his third papal mass in Lebanon.

Many in the crowd expressed concern over a potential escalation in Israel after the Pope’s departure.

A woman reads the scriptures during the mass amid the crowd at the Beirut Waterfront. (Credit: Emilie Sueur/L'Orient-Le Jour)

Tens of thousands receive communion at Pope Leo XIV’s mass in Beirut

At the mass in Beirut, tens of thousands of faithful present receive communion, distributed by priests and members of religious orders.

Beirut streets remain calm during Pope Leo XIV’s mass

According to our correspondent on the ground, Ziad Rahbani Avenue is calm, with normal daily activity taking place. No crowds have formed at Sports City, the Kuwaiti Embassy roundabout, or along Airport Road.

Security sources, including army intelligence and ISF personnel on-site, report that no gatherings or crowd activity are expected as preparations continue for Pope Leo XIV’s mass at the Beirut waterfront.

PM Nawaf Salam emphasizes peace ahead of the Pope's mass

Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s mass at the Beirut waterfront, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam underlined Lebanon’s commitment to peace and cooperation. “We are all for love and partnership in Lebanon, and for peace throughout the entire region,” he said.

Speaking to MTV, Salam acknowledged the ongoing challenges facing the country: “There is always fear for Lebanon, but we are doing everything necessary to prevent any escalation or war.”

Salam’s remarks came during the third and final day of the papal visit, which included a silent prayer at the Port of Beirut for the victims of the Aug. 4, 2020 explosion, before the Pope met with the families affected by the tragedy.

Roughly 150,000 people attend the mass

The Vatican press office, citing local authorities, reports that around 150,000 people have gathered for the outdoor mass led by Pope Leo XIV.

The Pope's grand mass at Beirut's waterfront. (Credit: Emilie Sueur/L'Orient Today)

Men and women take turns reading the intentions

Hundreds of priests prepare to give communion to the faithful, escorted by scouts, while passages from the Holy Scriptures are read by men and women in different languages, before the reading of the intentions.

Leo XIV: 'Lebanon, rise up! Be a prophecy of peace for the entire Levant!'

“Such is the dream entrusted to you; this is what the God of peace places in your hands: Lebanon, rise up! Be a house of justice and fraternity! Be a prophecy of peace for the entire Levant!” the Holy Father declared.

Pope Leo XIV also gave thanks to the Lord “for allowing me to share these days with you, while carrying in my heart your sufferings and your hopes.”

“I pray for you, that this land of the Levant may always be illuminated by faith in Jesus Christ, the sun of justice, and that through Him, it may preserve the enduring hope that never fades,” he concluded in his homily.

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV said, 'We must unite our efforts so that this land may regain its splendor'

According to the Holy Father, gratitude “must not be a private or illusory consolation; it should lead us to the transformation of the heart, the conversion of our lives, and to recognize that it is precisely in the light of faith, in the promise of hope, and in the joy of charity that God has envisioned our lives.”

He called on everyone “not to be discouraged, not to yield to the logic of violence or the idolatry of money, and not to resign ourselves to the evil that spreads around us.”

“Each of us must do our part, and together we must unite our efforts so that this land may regain its splendor,” the pope insisted. He added, “There is only one way to achieve this: let us disarm our hearts, tear down the armor of our ethnic and political divisions, open our religious confessions to mutual encounter, and awaken deep within ourselves the dream of a united Lebanon, where peace and justice prevail, and where all can recognize one another as brothers and sisters.”

Pope urges finding 'small lights that shine in the heart of the night'

“In his homily, the pope said, ‘The Word of the Lord invites us to find the small lights that shine in the heart of the night, to open ourselves to gratitude and to encourage us to work together for this land.’”

Pope Leo XIV reflects on Lebanon’s beauty and challenges during Beirut mass

(Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient-Le Jour)

Pope Leo XIV spoke of “contemplating the beauty of Lebanon celebrated in Scripture.” Yet he acknowledged that this beauty is “clouded by poverty and suffering, by the wounds that have marked your history… overshadowed by the many problems that afflict you, a fragile and often unstable political context, the dramatic economic crisis that oppresses you, and the violence and conflicts that have awakened old fears.”

He warned that “gratitude can easily give way to disenchantment, the song of praise may find no place in the desolation of the heart, and the source of hope can be dried up by uncertainty and disorientation.”

Pope Leo XIV calls for gratitude and hope in homily at Beirut mass

During his homily, Pope Leo XIV said: “At the end of these intense days we have shared in joy, we give thanks to the Lord for the many gifts of His goodness, for the way He makes Himself present among us, for the Word He offers us in abundance, and for what He has allowed us to experience together.”

He urged the people of Lebanon “to always cultivate attitudes of praise and gratitude,” noting that they are “the recipients of a rare beauty with which the Lord has enriched your land,” while also being “witnesses and victims of the ways in which evil, in many forms, can overshadow this magnificence.”

Pope Leo XIV conducts mass before 120,000 at Beirut waterfront

(Credit: Emilie Sueur/L’Orient-Le Jour)

Pope Leo XIV is currently celebrating mass in front of nearly 120,000 people, according to television reports, at the Beirut waterfront.

Our reporter on site describes the atmosphere among the crowd as solemn and calm. Most attendees are following the instructions given upon arrival, though a few young people are moving through the aisles.

'Eastern churches are a treasure for the universal church,” says Patriarch Absi

Melkite Catholic Patriarch Youssef Absi opened the mass: “The multitude that greets you and prays with you are the sons and daughters of the Eastern Churches, so dear to your heart. You have already expressed your esteem for them, as well as the will and duty to preserve and support them, for they are a treasure of the Universal Church.”

“Your presence at this critical time carries a powerful message of hope, showing the Apostolic See’s closeness to the Lebanese people and to all the peoples of the region,” the Patriarch continued, expressing confidence that the Holy Father will continue his dedicated efforts, “joined with prayer, so that God may grant us peace, and that our children remain steadfast on their land and in their mission, beacons of coexistence.”

'Historic to see the Pope,' says 15-year-old at Beirut mass

Georges Matar, 15, is attending the mass. “It’s historic to see the Pope,” he tells our reporter Caroline Hayek.

“I just want peace for my country. I will never leave it, no matter what happens,” adds the young boy from Naameh, south of Beirut.

He came to Beirut with students from the second, first, and final-year classes of the Saints Coeurs School in Bauchrieh.

Pope Leo XIV takes the stage amid hymns and clergy

During a religious hymn led by Joumana Mdawar, Pope Leo XIV arrives on stage, preceded by members of the clergy from several communities, including Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai.

Pope Leo XIV arrives at mass, greets the faithful from Popemobile

Pope Leo XIV has arrived at the mass, moving through the rows of faithful in his Popemobile as they wave their Lebanese flags. The Pope greets them along his route.

Gathering of political figures for Papal mass

Pope Leo XIV has just left the port to head to the mass site at the Beirut waterfront.

President Joseph Aoun, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, and numerous political figures are seated in the front rows, including Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh, Free Patriotic Movement chief Gebran Bassil, Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel, MP Sethrida Geagea, and Druze leader Walid Jumblatt.

Thousands of faithful have also taken their places on the chairs set up along the esplanade, packed shoulder to shoulder.

President Joseph Aoun arrives at mass site, greeted by crowd

President Joseph Aoun has arrived at the site of the mass, where numerous dignitaries are already present. He was warmly applauded by the gathered crowd.

Welcoming Pope Leo XIV at Beirut waterfront

Faithful from all over are gathering at the Beirut waterfront to welcome Pope Leo XIV, their voices rising in unison as they sing religious hymns, our reporter Caroline Hayek notes.

Scouts are also present in large numbers to assist with the mass.

“It’s crazy — we love him as much as the Pope,” says one young scout with a grin. Meanwhile, young volunteer girl scouts wait anxiously for a chance to touch the Pope.

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. He will pass among the people to bless us,” says one of them.

Leo XIV meets with families of the Aug. 4 victims, in tears

The Pope spoke with representatives of the families of the Aug. 4 victims, who are gathered within the port grounds.

He addressed a few words to them, shook hands, and embraced some of them, moved to tears.

Pope Leo XIV’s silent prayer in memory of the victims of the Beirut port double explosion

Pope Leo XIV’s convoy has arrived at the Port of Beirut, and the sovereign pontiff, after being welcomed by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, paused in silent prayer before a monument honoring the victims of the Aug. 4, 2020, double explosion.

Behind him, members of the victims’ families hold portraits of their deceased loved ones.

Families of the Aug. 4 victims present at the Port of Beirut

At the port entrance, the area is closed and deserted. Civilians have been barred from access for several hours. Families of the victims of Aug. 4, 2020, were allowed inside for the prayer and arrived by bus with security forces several hours ago.

On the way to the mass, a mother of a family said she hopes the papal visit 'helps to ease tensions'

On the way to the mass, a woman, surrounded by her family, expressed hope that the Pope’s visit “will bear fruit.”

“It is a symbol of peace. For me, his visit has both spiritual and political significance,” she explained, adding that it should “make political leaders reflect.”

“It could calm minds, make militia leaders think… and in some way help ease tensions,” she said.

Near the entrance to the port, a woman in her sixties waits for 'the best of Popes'

(Credit: Matthieu Karam/ L'Orient-Le Jour)

Around the port, Almaza Eid has come from Bsharri in northern Lebanon.

It is a big day for her, and she can’t stop smiling. To welcome “the greatest and best of Popes,” she brought flower petals to scatter along the Pope’s convoy.

Leo XIV en route to the Port of Beirut

The Pope leaves the Croix Hospital, and the convoy heads to the Port of Beirut, where he is expected to offer a “silent prayer.”

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and his wife have also arrived at the port to participate in the prayer, along with Social Affairs Minister Hanine al-Sayyyed, who lost her mother in the double explosion of Aug. 4, 2020.

'We love you,' the audience chants to the Pope before he leaves the hospital.

Pope Leo XIV blessed the audience and received, from the hands of the Superior of the order, an icon of Father Yaacoub as well as a patch embroidered by one of the nuns. “Baba Laoun, we love you!” shouted members of the audience as the Pope exited, shaking hands along his path.

To the patients, Pope Leo XIV said: “Dear brothers and sisters who are affected by illness, I simply want to remind you that you are in the heart of God our Father. He holds you gently in the palm of His hands. Today, the Lord repeats to each of you: I love you, you are my child! Never forget it!”

(Credit: AFP)

Pope Leo told the hospital’s caregivers and staff that he understands “the fatigue or discouragement that can arise, especially given the working conditions you face, which are not always favorable,” encouraging them “not to lose the joy of this mission” and to “always keep in mind the good you have the opportunity to accomplish.”

'I want to greet you warmly and assure you that you are in my heart and in my prayers'

To the patients, medical, and administrative staff, Leo XIV said: “First of all, I want to greet you warmly and assure you that you are in my heart and in my prayers.”

He also paid tribute to “Blessed Father Jacques, Abouna Yaacoub, tireless apostle of charity whose holy life we remember, particularly manifested in his love for the poorest and most suffering,” as well as to the Franciscan Sisters of the Cross, whom he founded and who continue his work.

“Sabah al-Kheir” — “Good morning” — Leo XIV greeted in Arabic at the start of his speech, before continuing in French.

A patient addressed the Pope: “Your visit is a light in our lives. We hope that this place, full of joy and love, will be known throughout the world.”

“This hospital cares for those forgotten by everyone; your visit reminds them that they are loved by God”

The Superior of the order, Sister Marie Makhlouf, welcomed Leo XIV and had to pause her speech, overcome with emotion. “This hospital cares for those forgotten by everyone; your visit reminds them that they are loved by God,” she said, her voice trembling.

“Today, you are telling them that they are not a burden on society but a treasure for the Church.”

“Our mission is a daily miracle, as anyone who knows its reality can attest,” she continued through tears.

“How could we persevere without support? Yet, we always open our doors wider — this is the great miracle of Father Yaacoub. We live with the little we have, needing nothing else. We live for the moment when Abouna Yaacoub will finally be canonized, so he can serve as an example of aid to the poor.”

Father Yaacoub, also known as Jacques of Ghazir, was a Lebanese Capuchin, founder of the Franciscan Sisters of the Cross of Lebanon, and recognized as blessed by the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV has just entered a room in the hospital that the Sisters of the Cross have renamed in his honor.

He greeted the nuns and patients in the presence of First Lady Neemat Aoun, who had arrived shortly before.

A choir made up of the institution’s patients performed a song composed especially for the Pope’s visit.

The patients, seated in the front rows, welcomed the Pope with applause and ululations, waving Lebanese and Vatican flags. The Pope appeared deeply moved by the reception. “Ahla w Sahla!” shouted members of the audience, warmly greeting him.

Hundreds of people on their way to the Beirut waterfront for the grand mass

(Credit: Yara Sarkis/ L'Orient-le Jour)

'Only Lebanese and Vatican flags allowed at the mass,' an organizer reminds

On a bus departing from the Beirut Forum, where faithful from northern Lebanon are gathering, Rouba, an organizer, announces that those who have not yet registered to attend the mass can still do so.

She also reminds passengers of the rules: “Only Vatican and Lebanese flags are allowed. And no smoking or eating during the mass.”

Crowds also pouring toward the Port of Beirut, where the Pope is expected at 9:30

(Credit: Matthieu Karam/L'Orient-le Jour)

On the highway at the port’s entrance, security forces and military vehicles have been deployed since 3:30 a.m. “When there’s a parliamentary session, we come three hours early. Imagine what it’s like for the Pope!” a gendarme tells our journalist Stéphanie Khouri. Along the road, buses full of faithful file past the shattered grain silo.

Sabah arrived with her young granddaughter, Ilona, from the nearby neighborhood of Achrafieh. “We came to welcome His Holiness. His presence unifies Christians and all of Lebanon,” the septuagenarian says. “We hope he opens the path to peace.”

Leo XIV welcomed by the Mother Superior of the Sisters of the Cross

The Pope is greeted by the Mother Superior of the Sisters of the Cross and enters the hospital building with her, accompanied by Apostolic Nuncio Paolo Borgia.

Leo XIV arrives at the Croix Hospital in Jal al-Dib

On the road leading to the Croix Hospital, hundreds of people had gathered to watch the Pope’s convoy pass by. He has just arrived at the facility.

'We weren’t going to miss an event like this,' say two 19-year-olds

Charbel, Yorgo, and Marc, all 19, came from Mansourieh. This is their first time seeing the Pope. They too woke up at 5 a.m. “We want to see him — it’s a blessing.

For us, he represents Jesus,” they tell our reporter at the Sunday market, adding that this fervor “brings all communities together.” “We weren’t going to miss an event like this!”

On-site, hundreds of people are waiting for their turn to board the buses, afraid they might miss the mass. Others prefer to walk.

One woman, however, puts things into perspective. For her, it is normal that so many people are waiting. She remembers the mass during Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1998, when “the traffic jam was crazy” and “everyone came by car.” For her, the bus initiative is “a good solution.”

At the Beirut Hippodrome, a young woman says: 'There’s more to life than nightlife — we must return to faith.'

At another gathering point, the Beirut Hippodrome, faithful, nuns, children, and families were already waiting for their turn to board the buses as early as 7 a.m.

“Lebanon needs this kind of event, because there’s more to life than nightlife or all the negative scenes we’ve witnessed lately. We must return to faith; we must remember Christ,” says Marie Joe Roumieh to our journalist Tasnim Chaaban.

The young woman adds that she loved the Pope’s visit to Annaya, which she considered very important.

'There are more than a billion Christians in the world — but the Pope came to us first'

At the Sunday market, at the intersection between Achrafieh and Sin al-Fil, faithful began arriving as early as 7 a.m. to board buses coming from several Metn localities.

On the roadside, scouts from the Sacré Coeur School in Gemmayzeh guide people and organize boarding, according to our on-site journalist Yara Sarkis.

These young volunteers, part of the organizing team, woke up at 2 a.m. — after the previous evening’s meeting between the Pope and the youth in Bkirki — to help with logistics, explains one of them, Alex Younes, in his early twenties.

Also up before dawn, Lebanese soldiers monitor the safe coordination of the transportation process, along with police and Lebanese Red Cross volunteers.

For Johnny, a clergyman waiting for his parishioners arriving from Jouret al-Ballout, the grand mass carries a “political dimension” — a way to show that “as Christians, we are present.” But it also aims to show that the Church “still watches over us.”

“There are more than a billion Christians in the world, but the Pope came to us first,” he says proudly. According to 2020 statistics, Christianity has more than 2.6 billion believers.

(Credit: Emilie Sueur/ L'Orient-le Jour)

In the meantime, dozens of buses are shuttling between various gathering points on the outskirts of Beirut to bring the faithful to the site of the mass, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on the Beirut waterfront.

On-site, a large stage has been set up facing rows of chairs stretching as far as the eye can see. Lebanese and Vatican flags are already being waved by those who have arrived early. On the podium, the slogan of the visit, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” is displayed on a white background, surrounded by the word “peace” written in multiple languages.

The Pope is on his way to the Croix Hospital in Jal al-Dib

Leo XIV’s convoy has left Harissa, where he stayed at the Apostolic Nunciature during his visit, heading to the Croix psychiatric hospital in Jal al-Dib, where he is expected at 8:30.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the third and final day of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon.

On the program this Tuesday, before the Holy Father’s return to Rome: a visit to the Croix psychiatric hospital, a silent prayer at the Port of Beirut — still scarred by the double explosion of Aug. 4, 2020 — and finally the grand mass on the waterfront, where hundreds of thousands of people are expected to intend.

Wrapping up our live coverage of the pope's visit to Lebanon

As we bring this blog to a close, we thank you for following our live coverage of the third and final day of Pope Leo XIV's historic visit to Lebanon.

The fourth visit ever by a pontiff to Lebanon, Leo XIV's various meetings, encounters and speeches over the course of the last three days were all marked by a message of peace.

Ahmad Hajjar thanks law enforcement agencies 'for their significant and exceptional efforts at every stage' of Leo XIV's visit

Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar thanked security forces "for their significant and exceptional efforts at every stage and for every detail of the visit," in a message from his ministry also published on X."

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the security services — the Internal Security Forces, General Security, and Civil Defense — who worked alongside the Lebanese Army, as well as the mohafez [governor] and various municipalities, for their significant and exceptional efforts at every stage and in every detail of accompanying this visit," he wrote.

"I would like to extend my special thanks to the officers, members of the security forces, and volunteers who, with professionalism, precision and discipline, ensured security and order, regulated traffic and facilitated citizens' access to the meeting places," added Hajjar.

'The pope has entrusted us with the call for peace,' Rajji says after his departure

"We bid farewell to His Holiness the pope, who has entrusted us with the call for peace...Blessed are the peacemakers," commented Foreign Minister Joe Rajji, who is close to the Lebanese Forces (LF), on X, echoing the theme of the visit to Lebanon chosen by Pope Leo XIV.

'The Church urges Hezbollah to lay down its arms and engage in dialogue,' says the pope

"The Church urges Hezbollah to lay down its arms and engage in dialogue," Pope Leo XIV said in statements to Sky News.

The pope had not spoken publicly on the subject during his three-day visit to Lebanon. He also said that the Vatican was calling on all parties engaged in the conflict "to renounce arms and violence and move towards dialogue," and that "seeking solutions that are not based on violence, but are more effective, is a good thing for the Lebanese people."

"I have read Hezbollah's letter and I prefer not to comment," the Pontiff also said.

On Saturday, the day before his arrival, Hezbollah had welcomed Pope Leo XIV's visit to Lebanon and sent him a letter calling on him to "take a stand against injustice and Israeli attacks" on the country.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon: 'I will continue to talk with leaders to bring about peace,' says pope upon arrival in Rome

The pope has landed in Rome at 3:57 p.m. local time, according to the Vatican's Italian X account.

Upon his arrival, in response to a question from the Lebanese channel LBCI about "conveying the Lebanese people's cry to Donald Trump to end Israeli aggression" in Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV replied: "I have spoken, and will continue to speak, with leaders to bring about peace," the channel reported.

U.S. ambassador to Lebanon says he 'joins the pope in efforts to promote coexistence and peace in the region'

The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon said it joins the pope "in efforts to promote coexistence and peace in the region" in a message posted on its X account as Pope Leo XIV's plane departed for Rome.

"Ambassador Michel Issa was honored to participate in Lebanon's welcome for His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. His visit is a recognition of Lebanon's rich history, vibrant culture and the resilient spirit of its people. We join [Pope Leo XVI] in his efforts to promote coexistence and peace in the region," wrote the U.S. Embassy.

Pope Leo XIV expresses his 'deep gratitude for the warm welcome' of the Lebanese people

Following his departure from Beirut, Pope Leo XIV sent a final message to the Lebanese president via the LBCI television channel.

"As I return to Rome at the end of my apostolic journey, I wish to express once again to Your Excellency, to the authorities and to the people of Lebanon my deep gratitude for the warm welcome I received during my visit, assuring you of my constant prayers for peace, unity, and prosperity for the nation," said the pontiff.

Pope Leo XIV’s plane has taken off from Beirut and is heading to Rome, after a three-day visit to Lebanon.

The door of the papal plane closed on the tarmac of Beirut Rafic Hariri Airport, after final handshakes with the political and religious leaders present at the farewell ceremony.

Pope Leo’s farewell message: 'As I leave this land, I carry you in my heart'

Pope Leo XIV delivered an emotional farewell message at Beirut International Airport as he concluded his three-day visit to Lebanon.
“As I leave this land, I carry you in my heart. We will continue working together for peace throughout the Middle East. I am grateful for these days spent with you and glad to have fulfilled the wish of my predecessor Francis, who longed to come to your country,” he said.

He recalled witnessing “the devotion of your people to the Virgin, Christians and Muslims alike,” and spoke of praying at Saint Charbel’s shrine and being “deeply moved” by his visit to the port.

“I leave carrying the sorrow and the search for truth of all these families,” he said, referring to the victims of the Beirut port explosion.

“You are as strong as the cedars,” the Pope told the Lebanese. He expressed regret for the regions he could not visit, “especially the South, which lives in instability,” and voiced hope that hostilities would cease: “Armed conflicts bring no solution.”

Quoting John Paul II, he concluded: “Lebanon is more than a country, it is a message. Let us work together to make this a reality.”

President Joseph Aoun: 'Your message has been received — this people deserves life and peace'

Seated beside the pope during the farewell ceremony, President Joseph Aoun paid tribute to the historic visit. “This visit will remain in the memory of Lebanon and its people. You conveyed a message of hope and peace,” he said.

“You came to Lebanon with a message of peace and reconciliation, affirming that this small country remains an example of unity and coexistence. We sensed your desire to see this nation remain a haven of reconciliation and peace. I assure you that your message has been well received and that we will continue to pursue peace.”

He concluded with an appeal: “We hope to remain in your prayers, because this faithful people deserves life and peace.”

Farewell ceremony for the pope at Beirut Airport, attended by Joseph Aoun

The pope has arrived at Beirut Rafic Hariri Airport for an official ceremony marking the end of his three-day visit to Lebanon.

The farewell event is being held in the presence of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and numerous religious dignitaries.

A military band is performing the Vatican and Lebanese national anthems.

From Baalbeck to witness pope’s visit

Zeina Harb, 33, arrived from Baalbeck three days ago and stayed with relatives in Baabda to attend the pope’s events.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event that no one, regardless of their background, should miss,” she said. “I was born in Baalbeck, raised in Burj al-Barajneh, and played basketball in Ain al-Remeneh.

This is the interreligious message of coexistence we want to deliver to the pope: we are him, and he is us. His message of peace is our hope.”

Father Abou Elias Eddo from Baraachite shares moving reflections on Pope’s visit

Father Abou Elias Eddo, who traveled from Baraachite, described the emotions stirred by Pope Leo XIV’s visit: “Feelings cannot be described.

When the head of the Catholic Church comes with such humility and faith to Lebanon… We are talking about His Holiness! We have been through so many trials.

He managed to touch our hearts, bring the Lebanese people closer together. He gave us a lot of hope, to us Christians, by reminding us of the meaning of our faith.”

He also noted the symbolic timing of the visit, just before Christmas, as a special blessing for the birth of Jesus.

Father shares awe at pope’s mass in Beirut

A father walks forward, pushing the stroller where his little daughter is seated.

"The feeling is indescribable. It’s rare to experience something like this, with all these people and the Pope’s presence," he tells L'Orient Today.

He says he was filled with "a very beautiful energy. These feelings, these emotions… it’s so beautiful. I feel like I’ve been transported to another universe."

The faithful are now heading towards the different areas designated for boarding the buses, while others are returning home on foot, especially those who live in the capital after the grand mass, our correspondent on the ground reported.

'I hope his visit brings protection and peace to the country', said a mass attendee

(Credit: Tasnim Chaaban/L'Orient Today)

Serge, 19, and Serena, 16, both attended the Pope’s arrival in Hadath and are here today to bid him farewell. “I have always been a believer, and I attend church every Sunday, so I felt the need to see him,” Serge said.

Serena added: “I hope his visit brings protection and peace to the country.”

Souad, Serge, and Serena’s mother, says, “I hope he shows the world Lebanon, how we live in national unity and coexist with one another.”

She points to the visibly intermixed communities waiting to see him leave the airport. “I hope this trip helps protect Lebanon,” she adds.

A farewell from officials

Lebanese officials arrived at the airport including Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, as Pope Leo leaves the country after his historic three-day visit.

Employees from the US embassy attend the mass

(Credit: Yara Sarkiss/L'Orient Today)

Five Indian employees from the American embassy also made the trip. They speak of a “sense of peace,” describe themselves as “excited” to have seen the Pope, and say they feel “relieved and blessed.”

Alex, another embassy employee and an American, admits he hesitated for a long time before coming. “In the end, I’m glad I attended the Mass. Being here and experiencing this… and then I discovered that he’s American, just like me!”

'A very positive impression'

Coming from Baabda, Elie says the day left him with “a very positive impression.”

“It was beautiful. We were very moved when we saw the pope praying at the Port of Beirut, because we were following the scene on the big screen at the Waterfront,” he said.

He also highlighted the availability of Leon XIV: “The pope gave us so much of his time!”

On the logistical side, he praised the flawless organization: “It was very well organized. Everything ran on time, exactly as planned.”

'Very well organized': A family experience at the Beirut waterfront mass

A mother, holding her two children by the hand and wearing a white scarf with the pope’s image around her neck, praised the organization of the event. “It was very well organized. There were even buses that picked us up from the start. The seating was perfect, water bottles were available, everything was great,” she said.

She also highlighted the atmosphere of the mass, describing it as very devout and sincere, creating a meaningful experience for everyone in attendance.

Waiting for the pope: A family’s experience at Beirut airport

Pamela Sfeir, 33, a mother of four from Kesrouan, came to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo XIV.

She initially tried to wait for him at the airport entrance but was redirected for security reasons to a spot further down the highway.

“I came because my children asked to see the pope. They told me they want to see him face to face, not only on TV. We’re going to try to wait a little further down,” she explained.

Reflecting on the visit, she said, “The visit was wonderful, everything about it, but what I liked the most was the meeting with the youth. I think that meeting was very important, and what was said there — the promises made by the youth — they are the spirit of the country. I hope the visit brings some peace for Lebanon.”

As the family waited, her children spotted an army helicopter overhead.
“Woooow, that’s for the pope!” exclaimed her 6-year-old daughter. Her 4-year-old son jumped with excitement, shouting, “I can’t wait to see him!”

Syrian scouts experience the pope’s visit in Beirut

A dozen Syrian scouts in their twenties, the Fursan al-Mahabba group from Aleppo, spent the night at the Deir Em Allah convent in Achkout before heading to the Beirut Waterfront.

They arrived in Lebanon by bus as part of a convoy of 300 people from Syria, accompanied by Father Makarios Kalloume.

The day before, they had gone to Bkirki to take part in the youth gathering, our correspondent on the ground reported.

As they left the mass, they shared their impressions: “This is the first time we have attended an event of this scale. The organization was good, especially considering the large number of people,” they explained. On site, they were able to meet other scout groups from across the country.

For 23-year-old Pamela, the Pope’s visit goes beyond Lebanon’s borders: “The Pope came for the entire Middle East, including Syria, not only for Lebanon. It’s the first time we’ve felt such fervor among everyone. We all felt united. It was so beautiful.”

Leo XIV: 'I call on the international community to spare no effort to encourage peace processes'

“It is time to change course; there is too much suffering in the East. It is time to educate minds for peace. I pray for peace and for dear Lebanon, and I call on the international community to spare no effort to encourage peace processes and for all political leaders to heed your calls for peace. And to the Christians of the Levant, I repeat: be courageous! The whole Church looks upon you with admiration”, the Pope said.

Pope Leo at the end of the Beirut mass: Be artisans and witnesses of peace

At the conclusion of the mass, Pope Leo reiterated that he came “as a pilgrim of hope to this Middle East marked by war and suffering.”

He urged, “Dear Christians of the Levant, I invite you to look to the heavens to see the Lord coming. Be artisans of peace, heralds of peace, witnesses of peace.”

Rai to Pope: 'You remind us that our mission is to build bridges'

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai thanked Pope Leo XIV for his visit and the mass, saying he felt “honored on behalf of the Catholic bishops and the Catholic religious community to express our joy and gratitude for your presence among us.”

He added that the papal visit “strengthens our determination to work for peace.”

“You strongly remind us that our mission in these difficult times is to build bridges,” he said. “Thank you for who you are, for your blessing, your love, and your paternal closeness,” the patriarch concluded.

'Inshallah there will be peace,' says a worshipper during communion

During communion at the Beirut Waterfront mass, Habib Mouawad, who came from Hadath in Mount Lebanon with his parish, said he “prayed for peace.”

“Inchallah, inchallah, may there be peace,” he told our correspondent, attending his third papal mass in Lebanon.

Many in the crowd expressed concern over a potential escalation in Israel after the Pope’s departure.

A woman reads the scriptures during the mass amid the crowd at the Beirut Waterfront. (Credit: Emilie Sueur/L'Orient-Le Jour)

Tens of thousands receive communion at Pope Leo XIV’s mass in Beirut

At the mass in Beirut, tens of thousands of faithful present receive communion, distributed by priests and members of religious orders.

Beirut streets remain calm during Pope Leo XIV’s mass

According to our correspondent on the ground, Ziad Rahbani Avenue is calm, with normal daily activity taking place. No crowds have formed at Sports City, the Kuwaiti Embassy roundabout, or along Airport Road.

Security sources, including army intelligence and ISF personnel on-site, report that no gatherings or crowd activity are expected as preparations continue for Pope Leo XIV’s mass at the Beirut waterfront.

PM Nawaf Salam emphasizes peace ahead of the Pope's mass

Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s mass at the Beirut waterfront, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam underlined Lebanon’s commitment to peace and cooperation. “We are all for love and partnership in Lebanon, and for peace throughout the entire region,” he said.

Speaking to MTV, Salam acknowledged the ongoing challenges facing the country: “There is always fear for Lebanon, but we are doing everything necessary to prevent any escalation or war.”

Salam’s remarks came during the third and final day of the papal visit, which included a silent prayer at the Port of Beirut for the victims of the Aug. 4, 2020 explosion, before the Pope met with the families affected by the tragedy.

Roughly 150,000 people attend the mass

The Vatican press office, citing local authorities, reports that around 150,000 people have gathered for the outdoor mass led by Pope Leo XIV.

The Pope's grand mass at Beirut's waterfront. (Credit: Emilie Sueur/L'Orient Today)

Men and women take turns reading the intentions

Hundreds of priests prepare to give communion to the faithful, escorted by scouts, while passages from the Holy Scriptures are read by men and women in different languages, before the reading of the intentions.

Leo XIV: 'Lebanon, rise up! Be a prophecy of peace for the entire Levant!'

“Such is the dream entrusted to you; this is what the God of peace places in your hands: Lebanon, rise up! Be a house of justice and fraternity! Be a prophecy of peace for the entire Levant!” the Holy Father declared.

Pope Leo XIV also gave thanks to the Lord “for allowing me to share these days with you, while carrying in my heart your sufferings and your hopes.”

“I pray for you, that this land of the Levant may always be illuminated by faith in Jesus Christ, the sun of justice, and that through Him, it may preserve the enduring hope that never fades,” he concluded in his homily.

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV said, 'We must unite our efforts so that this land may regain its splendor'

According to the Holy Father, gratitude “must not be a private or illusory consolation; it should lead us to the transformation of the heart, the conversion of our lives, and to recognize that it is precisely in the light of faith, in the promise of hope, and in the joy of charity that God has envisioned our lives.”

He called on everyone “not to be discouraged, not to yield to the logic of violence or the idolatry of money, and not to resign ourselves to the evil that spreads around us.”

“Each of us must do our part, and together we must unite our efforts so that this land may regain its splendor,” the pope insisted. He added, “There is only one way to achieve this: let us disarm our hearts, tear down the armor of our ethnic and political divisions, open our religious confessions to mutual encounter, and awaken deep within ourselves the dream of a united Lebanon, where peace and justice prevail, and where all can recognize one another as brothers and sisters.”

Pope urges finding 'small lights that shine in the heart of the night'

“In his homily, the pope said, ‘The Word of the Lord invites us to find the small lights that shine in the heart of the night, to open ourselves to gratitude and to encourage us to work together for this land.’”

Pope Leo XIV reflects on Lebanon’s beauty and challenges during Beirut mass

(Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient-Le Jour)

Pope Leo XIV spoke of “contemplating the beauty of Lebanon celebrated in Scripture.” Yet he acknowledged that this beauty is “clouded by poverty and suffering, by the wounds that have marked your history… overshadowed by the many problems that afflict you, a fragile and often unstable political context, the dramatic economic crisis that oppresses you, and the violence and conflicts that have awakened old fears.”

He warned that “gratitude can easily give way to disenchantment, the song of praise may find no place in the desolation of the heart, and the source of hope can be dried up by uncertainty and disorientation.”

Pope Leo XIV calls for gratitude and hope in homily at Beirut mass

During his homily, Pope Leo XIV said: “At the end of these intense days we have shared in joy, we give thanks to the Lord for the many gifts of His goodness, for the way He makes Himself present among us, for the Word He offers us in abundance, and for what He has allowed us to experience together.”

He urged the people of Lebanon “to always cultivate attitudes of praise and gratitude,” noting that they are “the recipients of a rare beauty with which the Lord has enriched your land,” while also being “witnesses and victims of the ways in which evil, in many forms, can overshadow this magnificence.”

Pope Leo XIV conducts mass before 120,000 at Beirut waterfront

(Credit: Emilie Sueur/L’Orient-Le Jour)

Pope Leo XIV is currently celebrating mass in front of nearly 120,000 people, according to television reports, at the Beirut waterfront.

Our reporter on site describes the atmosphere among the crowd as solemn and calm. Most attendees are following the instructions given upon arrival, though a few young people are moving through the aisles.

'Eastern churches are a treasure for the universal church,” says Patriarch Absi

Melkite Catholic Patriarch Youssef Absi opened the mass: “The multitude that greets you and prays with you are the sons and daughters of the Eastern Churches, so dear to your heart. You have already expressed your esteem for them, as well as the will and duty to preserve and support them, for they are a treasure of the Universal Church.”

“Your presence at this critical time carries a powerful message of hope, showing the Apostolic See’s closeness to the Lebanese people and to all the peoples of the region,” the Patriarch continued, expressing confidence that the Holy Father will continue his dedicated efforts, “joined with prayer, so that God may grant us peace, and that our children remain steadfast on their land and in their mission, beacons of coexistence.”

'Historic to see the Pope,' says 15-year-old at Beirut mass

Georges Matar, 15, is attending the mass. “It’s historic to see the Pope,” he tells our reporter Caroline Hayek.

“I just want peace for my country. I will never leave it, no matter what happens,” adds the young boy from Naameh, south of Beirut.

He came to Beirut with students from the second, first, and final-year classes of the Saints Coeurs School in Bauchrieh.

Pope Leo XIV takes the stage amid hymns and clergy

During a religious hymn led by Joumana Mdawar, Pope Leo XIV arrives on stage, preceded by members of the clergy from several communities, including Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai.

Pope Leo XIV arrives at mass, greets the faithful from Popemobile

Pope Leo XIV has arrived at the mass, moving through the rows of faithful in his Popemobile as they wave their Lebanese flags. The Pope greets them along his route.

Gathering of political figures for Papal mass

Pope Leo XIV has just left the port to head to the mass site at the Beirut waterfront.

President Joseph Aoun, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, and numerous political figures are seated in the front rows, including Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh, Free Patriotic Movement chief Gebran Bassil, Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel, MP Sethrida Geagea, and Druze leader Walid Jumblatt.

Thousands of faithful have also taken their places on the chairs set up along the esplanade, packed shoulder to shoulder.

President Joseph Aoun arrives at mass site, greeted by crowd

President Joseph Aoun has arrived at the site of the mass, where numerous dignitaries are already present. He was warmly applauded by the gathered crowd.

Welcoming Pope Leo XIV at Beirut waterfront

Faithful from all over are gathering at the Beirut waterfront to welcome Pope Leo XIV, their voices rising in unison as they sing religious hymns, our reporter Caroline Hayek notes.

Scouts are also present in large numbers to assist with the mass.

“It’s crazy — we love him as much as the Pope,” says one young scout with a grin. Meanwhile, young volunteer girl scouts wait anxiously for a chance to touch the Pope.

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. He will pass among the people to bless us,” says one of them.

Leo XIV meets with families of the Aug. 4 victims, in tears

The Pope spoke with representatives of the families of the Aug. 4 victims, who are gathered within the port grounds.

He addressed a few words to them, shook hands, and embraced some of them, moved to tears.

Pope Leo XIV’s silent prayer in memory of the victims of the Beirut port double explosion

Pope Leo XIV’s convoy has arrived at the Port of Beirut, and the sovereign pontiff, after being welcomed by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, paused in silent prayer before a monument honoring the victims of the Aug. 4, 2020, double explosion.

Behind him, members of the victims’ families hold portraits of their deceased loved ones.

Families of the Aug. 4 victims present at the Port of Beirut

At the port entrance, the area is closed and deserted. Civilians have been barred from access for several hours. Families of the victims of Aug. 4, 2020, were allowed inside for the prayer and arrived by bus with security forces several hours ago.

On the way to the mass, a mother of a family said she hopes the papal visit 'helps to ease tensions'

On the way to the mass, a woman, surrounded by her family, expressed hope that the Pope’s visit “will bear fruit.”

“It is a symbol of peace. For me, his visit has both spiritual and political significance,” she explained, adding that it should “make political leaders reflect.”

“It could calm minds, make militia leaders think… and in some way help ease tensions,” she said.

Near the entrance to the port, a woman in her sixties waits for 'the best of Popes'

(Credit: Matthieu Karam/ L'Orient-Le Jour)

Around the port, Almaza Eid has come from Bsharri in northern Lebanon.

It is a big day for her, and she can’t stop smiling. To welcome “the greatest and best of Popes,” she brought flower petals to scatter along the Pope’s convoy.

Leo XIV en route to the Port of Beirut

The Pope leaves the Croix Hospital, and the convoy heads to the Port of Beirut, where he is expected to offer a “silent prayer.”

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and his wife have also arrived at the port to participate in the prayer, along with Social Affairs Minister Hanine al-Sayyyed, who lost her mother in the double explosion of Aug. 4, 2020.

'We love you,' the audience chants to the Pope before he leaves the hospital.

Pope Leo XIV blessed the audience and received, from the hands of the Superior of the order, an icon of Father Yaacoub as well as a patch embroidered by one of the nuns. “Baba Laoun, we love you!” shouted members of the audience as the Pope exited, shaking hands along his path.

To the patients, Pope Leo XIV said: “Dear brothers and sisters who are affected by illness, I simply want to remind you that you are in the heart of God our Father. He holds you gently in the palm of His hands. Today, the Lord repeats to each of you: I love you, you are my child! Never forget it!”

(Credit: AFP)

Pope Leo told the hospital’s caregivers and staff that he understands “the fatigue or discouragement that can arise, especially given the working conditions you face, which are not always favorable,” encouraging them “not to lose the joy of this mission” and to “always keep in mind the good you have the opportunity to accomplish.”

'I want to greet you warmly and assure you that you are in my heart and in my prayers'

To the patients, medical, and administrative staff, Leo XIV said: “First of all, I want to greet you warmly and assure you that you are in my heart and in my prayers.”

He also paid tribute to “Blessed Father Jacques, Abouna Yaacoub, tireless apostle of charity whose holy life we remember, particularly manifested in his love for the poorest and most suffering,” as well as to the Franciscan Sisters of the Cross, whom he founded and who continue his work.

“Sabah al-Kheir” — “Good morning” — Leo XIV greeted in Arabic at the start of his speech, before continuing in French.

A patient addressed the Pope: “Your visit is a light in our lives. We hope that this place, full of joy and love, will be known throughout the world.”

“This hospital cares for those forgotten by everyone; your visit reminds them that they are loved by God”

The Superior of the order, Sister Marie Makhlouf, welcomed Leo XIV and had to pause her speech, overcome with emotion. “This hospital cares for those forgotten by everyone; your visit reminds them that they are loved by God,” she said, her voice trembling.

“Today, you are telling them that they are not a burden on society but a treasure for the Church.”

“Our mission is a daily miracle, as anyone who knows its reality can attest,” she continued through tears.

“How could we persevere without support? Yet, we always open our doors wider — this is the great miracle of Father Yaacoub. We live with the little we have, needing nothing else. We live for the moment when Abouna Yaacoub will finally be canonized, so he can serve as an example of aid to the poor.”

Father Yaacoub, also known as Jacques of Ghazir, was a Lebanese Capuchin, founder of the Franciscan Sisters of the Cross of Lebanon, and recognized as blessed by the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV has just entered a room in the hospital that the Sisters of the Cross have renamed in his honor.

He greeted the nuns and patients in the presence of First Lady Neemat Aoun, who had arrived shortly before.

A choir made up of the institution’s patients performed a song composed especially for the Pope’s visit.

The patients, seated in the front rows, welcomed the Pope with applause and ululations, waving Lebanese and Vatican flags. The Pope appeared deeply moved by the reception. “Ahla w Sahla!” shouted members of the audience, warmly greeting him.

Hundreds of people on their way to the Beirut waterfront for the grand mass

(Credit: Yara Sarkis/ L'Orient-le Jour)

'Only Lebanese and Vatican flags allowed at the mass,' an organizer reminds

On a bus departing from the Beirut Forum, where faithful from northern Lebanon are gathering, Rouba, an organizer, announces that those who have not yet registered to attend the mass can still do so.

She also reminds passengers of the rules: “Only Vatican and Lebanese flags are allowed. And no smoking or eating during the mass.”

Crowds also pouring toward the Port of Beirut, where the Pope is expected at 9:30

(Credit: Matthieu Karam/L'Orient-le Jour)

On the highway at the port’s entrance, security forces and military vehicles have been deployed since 3:30 a.m. “When there’s a parliamentary session, we come three hours early. Imagine what it’s like for the Pope!” a gendarme tells our journalist Stéphanie Khouri. Along the road, buses full of faithful file past the shattered grain silo.

Sabah arrived with her young granddaughter, Ilona, from the nearby neighborhood of Achrafieh. “We came to welcome His Holiness. His presence unifies Christians and all of Lebanon,” the septuagenarian says. “We hope he opens the path to peace.”

Leo XIV welcomed by the Mother Superior of the Sisters of the Cross

The Pope is greeted by the Mother Superior of the Sisters of the Cross and enters the hospital building with her, accompanied by Apostolic Nuncio Paolo Borgia.

Leo XIV arrives at the Croix Hospital in Jal al-Dib

On the road leading to the Croix Hospital, hundreds of people had gathered to watch the Pope’s convoy pass by. He has just arrived at the facility.

'We weren’t going to miss an event like this,' say two 19-year-olds

Charbel, Yorgo, and Marc, all 19, came from Mansourieh. This is their first time seeing the Pope. They too woke up at 5 a.m. “We want to see him — it’s a blessing.

For us, he represents Jesus,” they tell our reporter at the Sunday market, adding that this fervor “brings all communities together.” “We weren’t going to miss an event like this!”

On-site, hundreds of people are waiting for their turn to board the buses, afraid they might miss the mass. Others prefer to walk.

One woman, however, puts things into perspective. For her, it is normal that so many people are waiting. She remembers the mass during Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1998, when “the traffic jam was crazy” and “everyone came by car.” For her, the bus initiative is “a good solution.”

At the Beirut Hippodrome, a young woman says: 'There’s more to life than nightlife — we must return to faith.'

At another gathering point, the Beirut Hippodrome, faithful, nuns, children, and families were already waiting for their turn to board the buses as early as 7 a.m.

“Lebanon needs this kind of event, because there’s more to life than nightlife or all the negative scenes we’ve witnessed lately. We must return to faith; we must remember Christ,” says Marie Joe Roumieh to our journalist Tasnim Chaaban.

The young woman adds that she loved the Pope’s visit to Annaya, which she considered very important.

'There are more than a billion Christians in the world — but the Pope came to us first'

At the Sunday market, at the intersection between Achrafieh and Sin al-Fil, faithful began arriving as early as 7 a.m. to board buses coming from several Metn localities.

On the roadside, scouts from the Sacré Coeur School in Gemmayzeh guide people and organize boarding, according to our on-site journalist Yara Sarkis.

These young volunteers, part of the organizing team, woke up at 2 a.m. — after the previous evening’s meeting between the Pope and the youth in Bkirki — to help with logistics, explains one of them, Alex Younes, in his early twenties.

Also up before dawn, Lebanese soldiers monitor the safe coordination of the transportation process, along with police and Lebanese Red Cross volunteers.

For Johnny, a clergyman waiting for his parishioners arriving from Jouret al-Ballout, the grand mass carries a “political dimension” — a way to show that “as Christians, we are present.” But it also aims to show that the Church “still watches over us.”

“There are more than a billion Christians in the world, but the Pope came to us first,” he says proudly. According to 2020 statistics, Christianity has more than 2.6 billion believers.

(Credit: Emilie Sueur/ L'Orient-le Jour)

In the meantime, dozens of buses are shuttling between various gathering points on the outskirts of Beirut to bring the faithful to the site of the mass, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on the Beirut waterfront.

On-site, a large stage has been set up facing rows of chairs stretching as far as the eye can see. Lebanese and Vatican flags are already being waved by those who have arrived early. On the podium, the slogan of the visit, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” is displayed on a white background, surrounded by the word “peace” written in multiple languages.

The Pope is on his way to the Croix Hospital in Jal al-Dib

Leo XIV’s convoy has left Harissa, where he stayed at the Apostolic Nunciature during his visit, heading to the Croix psychiatric hospital in Jal al-Dib, where he is expected at 8:30.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the third and final day of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon.

On the program this Tuesday, before the Holy Father’s return to Rome: a visit to the Croix psychiatric hospital, a silent prayer at the Port of Beirut — still scarred by the double explosion of Aug. 4, 2020 — and finally the grand mass on the waterfront, where hundreds of thousands of people are expected to intend.