Pope Leão XIV Ends Lebanon Trip With Mass for 150,000, Beirut Port Vigil and Plea for Hezbollah to Disarm

Overview

• Closing his three‑day visit, the pontiff urged an end to attacks and called for “new approaches” to peace in the Middle East at a waterfront Mass attended by roughly 150,000 people.
• He prayed at the Beirut port memorial, laid a wreath, met families of the 2020 blast victims and echoed demands for accountability in a probe that remains stalled.
• Speaking to reporters on the flight to Rome, he said Hezbollah should abandon arms and join negotiations, adding that the Holy See is working behind the scenes with local and regional actors.
• He also cautioned the United States against using military force in Venezuela, recommending dialogue or economic pressure as Washington weighs its options.
• Lebanon observed holidays and tight security for the visit, which also featured an interfaith gathering where leaders planted an olive sapling and a rallying appeal to youth to help rebuild the country.