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Pope Leo XIV concluded his three-day visit to Lebanon with a poignant and
historic gesture: a silent prayer at the site of the Beirut port explosion. The
catastrophic blast on 4 August 2020 claimed 218 lives, injured thousands, and left
large portions of the capital in ruins. Nearly five years later, families of victims
continue to demand accountability, and the Pope’s visit brought renewed
attention to their call for justice.
Standing amid the devastation, Pope Leo XIV bowed his head and offered a
moment of silent prayer. Later, he said he was "deeply moved" by the visit and
shared the sorrow and hope of the families affected. “I share the deep thirst for
truth and justice of so many families, of an entire country,” he said, emphasizing
that the nation’s grief could not be ignored.
No one has yet been held accountable for the disaster. The explosion occurred
after a fire triggered the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored
unsafely at the port warehouse for nearly six years. Investigations suggest that
officials were aware of the dangers but failed to act. Families and activists have
repeatedly criticized the domestic investigation, alleging that political leadership
has hampered justice to protect those responsible.
Cecile Roukoz, whose brother Joseph died in the blast, described the Pope's visit as
significant. “We know he raises his voice for justice, and we need justice for our
brothers and all the victims,” she said. Tatiana Hasrouty, who lost her father
Ghassan, shared a similar sentiment: “He’s trying to help us find the truth, maybe
through prayer or through just looking at us. After five years, we need people to
acknowledge our pain.”
The Pope’s visit also included a journey to the Monastery of St. Maron in Annaya,
located in the mountains of Mount Lebanon, 1,200 meters above sea level. This is
the resting place of St. Charbel Makhlouf, a Lebanese Maronite monk and hermit
known for his extreme asceticism and numerous miracles attributed to his
intercession. Millions visit the tomb each year, and for the first time, a Pope visited
it.
On the second day of his visit, Pope Leo XIV prayed at St. Charbel’s tomb, a
moment that deeply moved the monks and the faithful. Father Youssef Matta, one
of the Maronite monks living at the monastery, explained that the Pope’s visit
symbolizes hope, healing, and the unity of Lebanon’s diverse religious
communities. “This visit invokes healing from divisions and corruption,
transforming the hope for physical healing from St. Charbel into hope for national
and global healing,” he said.
St. Charbel’s popularity extends beyond Christians. Father Matta highlighted that
the saint is revered by Muslims and people of other faiths, emphasizing that his
miracles are “perceived as a divine intervention that makes no distinction between
Christians and Muslims.” His ascetic life, dedication to prayer, and hermit lifestyle
resonate with many religious traditions, making him a unifying figure in Lebanon’s
complex social fabric.
St. Charbel joined the Maronite order in 1851, took vows in 1853, and was ordained in
1859. He spent 16 years in community life before retreating to a hermitage for 23
years until his death in 1898. Throughout his life, he focused on prayer and work,
embodying spiritual purity revered in both Eastern and Western traditions. His life
continues to be a source of inspiration, particularly in Lebanon, which has faced
successive crises and conflicts in recent decades.
The Pope’s visit carries both spiritual and political significance. By praying at the
blast site and at St. Charbel’s tomb, Pope Leo XIV sent a message of solidarity,
unity, and hope. In Lebanon, where political and sectarian divisions often
dominate public life, these gestures remind citizens and leaders alike that spiritual
guidance and moral accountability remain vital.
Father Matta emphasized that St. Charbel’s life and miracles serve as a rare symbol
of coexistence and hope. “He demonstrates that spiritual strength can unite
different religions that politics divides,” he said. The Pope’s visit highlights
Lebanon’s role as a land of dialogue and peace, reinforcing the country’s historical
importance in the region and reminding the international community of its
ongoing struggles.
Lebanon continues to face economic collapse, mass emigration, and social
fragmentation. Millions of young Lebanese leave the country seeking
opportunities elsewhere. Against this backdrop, Pope Leo XIV’s visit not only
honors the victims of the Beirut blast but also reinforces the message that the
global community has not abandoned Lebanon. His presence brings attention,
hope, and a reminder of the need for justice, healing, and spiritual unity.
Throughout his visit, the Pope consistently emphasized the importance of justice
and truth. Families of victims of the Beirut explosion have waited years for
accountability, and the Pope’s actions underscore that their demands cannot be
ignored. He called for recognition of the victims’ suffering and for steps to prevent
such tragedies from recurring.
The Pope’s pilgrimage to Lebanon represents a broader call for international
awareness. It reminds the world that Lebanon, despite its challenges, is a place of
cultural richness, religious coexistence, and historical significance. By visiting both
the blast site and the tomb of St. Charbel, Pope Leo XIV tied together the themes
of tragedy and hope, loss and spiritual renewal, grief and resilience.
As Pope Leo XIV departed, his message was clear: Lebanon is not alone. Justice and
healing remain possible, and hope can be found even in the darkest moments. His
prayers and gestures will be remembered not only by the families of the victims
but by the entire nation and by those who see Lebanon as a symbol of endurance,
faith, and unity in a complex world.
In summary, Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon combined mourning, justice, and hope.
By praying at the Beirut port explosion site and at St. Charbel’s tomb, he honored
the victims, highlighted the ongoing demand for accountability, and sent a
message of spiritual solidarity that transcends politics, religion, and geography. In
a country often defined by conflict and crisis, this visit serves as a reminder of the
potential for unity, compassion, and divine guidance.
