Pope Leo XIV concluded his three-day visit to Lebanon with a silent prayer at the site of the Beirut port explosion, demanding justice for the 218 victims of the tragic incident that occurred on August 4, 2020. The Pope met with relatives of those killed in the incident, expressing profound sorrow and sharing their collective desire for truth and accountability. He acknowledged that no one has been held responsible for the disaster, which was caused by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been improperly stored at the port.
During his visit, the Pope's remarks reflected the emotional weight of the situation as he stated, 'I share the thirst for truth and justice of many families and an entire country.' Witnesses and victims' relatives have voiced concerns that the investigation into the disaster has been obstructed by political pressures aimed at protecting officials from accountability.
Among those impacted by the blast, Cecile Roukoz, who lost her brother in the explosion, noted the importance of the Pope's visit, stating, 'We need justice for our brothers and all the victims of this explosion.' Similarly, Tatiana Hasrouty, who lost her father, said that the Pope's presence and prayers provided hope in the fight for justice.
After his solemn visit to the blast site, Pope Leo XIV celebrated a Mass attended by around 150,000 people on the Beirut waterfront. In his message, he spoke of Lebanon's beauty overshadowed by ongoing suffering and encouraged its diverse communities to unite to address the country's problems. He called for overcoming divisions to rebuild a peaceful and just society.
Since the previous papal visit in 2012, Lebanon has faced a series of crises, including a dire economic situation that has thrust millions into poverty. The aftermath of the Beirut explosion, alongside political paralysis, has highlighted the urgency of reform and accountability in the country.
During his visit, the Pope's remarks reflected the emotional weight of the situation as he stated, 'I share the thirst for truth and justice of many families and an entire country.' Witnesses and victims' relatives have voiced concerns that the investigation into the disaster has been obstructed by political pressures aimed at protecting officials from accountability.
Among those impacted by the blast, Cecile Roukoz, who lost her brother in the explosion, noted the importance of the Pope's visit, stating, 'We need justice for our brothers and all the victims of this explosion.' Similarly, Tatiana Hasrouty, who lost her father, said that the Pope's presence and prayers provided hope in the fight for justice.
After his solemn visit to the blast site, Pope Leo XIV celebrated a Mass attended by around 150,000 people on the Beirut waterfront. In his message, he spoke of Lebanon's beauty overshadowed by ongoing suffering and encouraged its diverse communities to unite to address the country's problems. He called for overcoming divisions to rebuild a peaceful and just society.
Since the previous papal visit in 2012, Lebanon has faced a series of crises, including a dire economic situation that has thrust millions into poverty. The aftermath of the Beirut explosion, alongside political paralysis, has highlighted the urgency of reform and accountability in the country.
