Under a clear blue sky and before nearly 150,000 worshippers gathered along Beirut’s seafront, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the public Mass, closing his three-day apostolic visit to Lebanon on Tuesday, December 2. From early morning, faithful from across the country streamed to the waterfront, while the nation’s top officials joined the assembly, highlighting the significance of the final celebration in a deeply spiritual and emotionally charged visit.
The Mass opened with remarks from Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch Youssef Absi, who welcomed the Pope on behalf of the Eastern Churches. He described the sons and daughters of the Eastern Churches as “a treasure for the Universal Church” and said the Pope’s presence sent “a message of hope in a critical time,” emphasizing the role of these communities as “beacons of coexistence.”
“A Small Branch Sprouting From a Trunk”
In his homily, Pope Leo delivered the most powerful message of his visit: “This is the dream entrusted to you. Lebanon, rise! Be a house of justice and fraternity! Be a prophecy of peace for the entire Levant!”
He invoked the Prophet Isaiah’s vision of the Kingdom of God as “a small branch sprouting from a trunk,” a modest sign of hope that promises renewal even amid death.
The Pope also expressed gratitude for the warm reception he received, saying: “I give thanks to the Lord for allowing me to share these days with you, carrying in my heart your sufferings and hopes.” He prayed that “this land of the Levant may always be illuminated by faith in Jesus Christ, the sun of justice,” so that it retains “hope that never disappoints.”
A Call to Gratitude Amid Hardship
Pope Leo urged Lebanese faithful to maintain gratitude even in times of trial. “At the close of these intense days, we give thanks to the Lord for the many gifts of His goodness,” he said, while acknowledging the struggles of a people “whose gratitude can easily give way to disillusionment.”
For the Pope, gratitude is not an escape but a courageous act. It “must lead to the transformation of the heart” and open the path to renewed life despite weariness, fear, or accumulated wounds.
Rooted in Lebanon’s Reality
The Pope did not shy away from Lebanon’s challenges. He noted that the country’s celebrated beauty is today “overshadowed by poverty, suffering, historical wounds, political instability, economic crisis, and violence that revive old fears.”
Acknowledging the fatigue of the Lebanese people, he warned, “Gratitude can easily give way to disillusionment; praise can vanish in the desolation of the heart.”
Yet he highlighted the “small lights shining in the heart of the night”—signs of hope in families, schools, parishes, and the work of priests and religious who “bring charity into the fabric of Lebanese society.”
A Call for Reconciliation
The central theme of the homily was a call to overcome divisions: “We have only one way: let us disarm our hearts, remove the armor of our ethnic and political divisions, open our religious communities to mutual encounter, and awaken the dream of a united Lebanon.”
“Everyone must do their part, and we must all work together to restore this land to its full glory,” he added. “Do not be afraid. Rise up. Keep hope alive.”
He concluded by urging the Lebanese to remain steadfast in faith and joy, even amid uncertainty, and to continue as “builders of peace” in a troubled world.
Educating Hearts for Peace
In his final remarks, Pope Leo addressed the “Christians of the Levant,” encouraging them to turn to the Lord with hope and courage. He called on Middle Eastern peoples to embrace coexistence, reject violence, and open new chapters of reconciliation and peace, stressing the importance of “educating hearts for peace.”
He prayed for the entire region and for victims of conflict, singling out the “beloved Lebanon.” The Pope also called on the international community to strengthen efforts to support dialogue and peace processes, urging political leaders to heed “the cry of their people” longing for peace. He ended with a direct message to the Christians of the Levant: “Courage!” and entrusted Lebanon to the protection of Our Lady of Harissa.
A Historic Visit Concludes
The Mass marked the final major event of Pope Leo XIV’s visit, concluding a dense, spiritually profound, and emotionally resonant three-day journey. Earlier, the Pope visited the Hospital of the Cross in Jal el-Dib, meeting patients and healthcare staff and praising “the quiet courage of those who heal the visible and invisible wounds of the country.” He also led a moment of reflection with families affected by the 2020 Beirut port explosion, an encounter marked by grief but also dignity.
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