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Pope Leo XIV has recently concluded his first international journey. This six-day pilgrimage to the Middle East wrapped up on Tuesday in Beirut, an area marked by its complicated history and recent tragedies.
Our team ventured into conflict-ridden Lebanon, just a stone’s throw away from the site of a catastrophic explosion that occurred on August 4, 2020. This tragic event, which originated in the Beirut port, resulted in over 200 fatalities, thousands of injuries, and left more than 300,000 people without homes.
Five years later, the Lebanese government has yet to resolve the investigation concerning how nearly three tons of ammonium nitrate that were precariously stored in the port ignited, prompting the largest non-nuclear explosion in history. On the fourth of each month, the victims’ families converge at the port to express their discontent with government inaction and corruption.
Pope Leo XIV Pays Tribute to Victims
On this visit, Pope Leo honored the victims with a silent prayer and lit a lamp in their memory at the port.
Earlier that day, Vatican press officer Salvatore Scolozzi managed roll call in the opulent marble hallway of Beirut’s Intercontinental Phoenicia Hotel, where 80 accredited journalists gathered.
The luxury hotel still bears the scars of the devastating 2020 explosion; its windows shattered, injuring both staff and guests while obliterating all furnishings. “All the air seemed to be sucked out of the building, with glass shards flying everywhere,” a staff member recounted, noting that no lives were lost. Following extensive renovations, the hotel reopened its doors in 2023, yet remains surrounded by dilapidated, burned-out structures.
In the hotel lobby, Scolozzi cautioned, “Non fare ritardi VAMPS,” translating to “don’t be late.” He, along with his team, has devoted over a year to orchestrating this six-day tour through Turkey and Lebanon, which was initially scheduled for the late Pope Francis.
We, the Vatican Accredited Media Personnel, or VAMPS, are a diverse group hailing from 15 different countries. Following our early morning check-in at 5:30 a.m., chatter in the lobby revolved around potential questions for the newly elected pontiff during the highly anticipated in-flight press conference back to Italy.
Traditionally, each language group formulates a question, often leading to spirited discussions. After hearing one journalist propose a question about the Pope’s remarks regarding the vital role of women during this trip, someone remarked, “He will never go there,” expressing skepticism about whether this means the Pope would consider allowing women deacons.
Initially, concerns arose regarding the possibility of Pope Leo remaining silent during the flight.
Pope Leo XIV Engages Journalists
However, attendees breathed a sigh of relief when the curtain lifted on our chartered Airbus flight from Istanbul to Beirut. A somewhat reticent Pope Leo candidly addressed pressing queries, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He reaffirmed the Vatican’s longstanding support for a two-state solution, while emphasizing, “Israel is our friend.”
Pope Leo displays a desire for diplomacy, aiming to avoid polarization. Six months into his papacy, he is gradually exuding more confidence and delivering more impactful addresses. He adhered closely to his prepared remarks in English while also communicating beautifully in French during his time in Lebanon, even interjecting a few words of Arabic as he advocated for peace among local authorities, various religious groups, and the younger generation.
During an evening celebration with local youth that resembled a Christian-style Woodstock, he recognized the Lebanese who chose to stay and those who had returned. “Have hope, don’t leave; your country needs you!” he affirmed.
Nada Merhi, a Catholic Maronite volunteer who was only a child when the civil war tore apart her family, expressed her unwavering love for Lebanon. Despite the ongoing economic turmoil and violence following Hezbollah’s strike against Israel, Merhi insisted she would never consider leaving her homeland.
“We need concrete assistance, yet above all, we desire peace. I hope the Pope will remember us,” she implored.
Meanwhile, Andre Sassine, a small-business owner from Byblos, approximately 20 miles north of Beirut, exuded optimism. “Business will thrive if we only have peace. The media points fingers at Muslims in Lebanon, but the real issue lies with foreign nations meddling and corrupting our society,” he explained, suggesting a potential collaboration between the Pope and former President Donald Trump, whose family has Lebanese connections.
“We Lebanese cherish America,” he remarked, “and we have faith in this new Pope, born in America. Please help us find peace.”
The Road Ahead for Lebanon
Pope Leo’s inaugural trip served as a poignant reminder of the challenges facing Lebanon and its people. As the pontiff returns to his duties in Rome, the voices of the Lebanese echo the importance of peace and stability in a land burdened by turmoil. The Pope’s visit may serve as a catalyst for renewed hope, encouraging both the international community and local leaders to seek resolutions and support for a nation in need.
