Pope Leo XIV said: “With deep emotion and great gratitude, I stand with you here today, on this blessed land, the land glorified by the prophets of the Old Testament, who saw in its towering cedars a symbol of the righteous soul flourishing under the vigilant gaze of the heavens, and the land where the echo of the word ‘Logos’ has never been extinguished, but continues, generation after generation.” He added: “In a time when living together seems like an unattainable dream, the people of Lebanon, with their different religions, remain a powerful reminder that fear, mistrust, and prejudices do not have the final word, and that unity, communion, reconciliation, and peace are possible. It is a message that has not changed throughout the history of this beloved land: the testimony to the enduring truth that Christians, Muslims, Druze, and many others can live together and build a homeland united by respect and dialogue.” The Pope’s address was delivered during an ecumenical and interfaith dialogue meeting, attended by heads of sects in Lebanon and more than 300 invitees. The event included eight speeches by Christian and Muslim spiritual leaders, alongside Pope Leo’s speech, with performances by choirs from “Sistema Beirut Sings,” the Islamic Orphanage, and the “Imam Sadr Foundation.” The meeting was held in a tent specially constructed for the occasion, featuring a stage designed in a circular shape symbolizing the united family, while the Pope planted an olive tree in the center of the venue as an expression of peace.
