Pope Leo XIV Hailed by Thousands of Lebanese Youth, Urges Them to ‘Be the Source of Hope’

Pope Leo XIV received a jubilant welcome from thousands of young Lebanese on the second day of his visit to the crisis-hit country, delivering a message of hope and resilience at a packed youth gathering in Bkerke.

Despite intermittent rain, crowds lined the streets to greet the pontiff, waving flags, ululating and tossing rice as his motorcade passed. Organizers said around 15,000 people attended the evening event, where cheers, whistles and sustained applause accompanied the pope as young attendees recorded the moment on their phones.

After hearing personal testimonies from young Lebanese who described the severe economic and social challenges they face, the pope urged them to "build a better world than the one you inherited." He added: "You have the enthusiasm to change the course of history. Young people of Lebanon, grow strong like the cedars and make the world blossom with hope! Be the source of hope that the country is waiting for!"

Coexistence and Church Unity

Earlier in the day, Pope Leo met leaders from Lebanon's many religious communities in a public show of unity. He called on them to be "builders of peace: to confront intolerance, overcome violence, and banish exclusion, illuminating the path toward justice." He acknowledged Lebanon's historic model of coexistence while warning that deep social and political divisions remain.

The pope visited a monastery that houses the tomb of Saint Charbel, a figure revered across communities in Lebanon, and later traveled to Harissa, where he greeted religious faithful beneath the statue of Our Lady of Lebanon. He reminded attendees that prayer "gives us the strength to continue to hope and work, even when surrounded by the sound of weapons and when the very necessities of daily life become a challenge."

Message of Peace amid Regional Tensions

Presenters and clergy emphasized endurance through hardship. Tony Elias, a priest from the border village of Rmeish, said the community "has lived through nearly two and a half years of war, but have never been without hope," adding that the pope's visit affirms that their suffering has not been in vain.

While a ceasefire declared in November 2024 aimed to halt a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, strikes and cross-border tensions have continued. Lebanon's cash-strapped government also faces international pressure over armed militias, compounding local concerns about security and stability.

Pope Leo arrived from Turkey on Sunday for his first foreign trip as pontiff. Lebanese authorities declared the visit days public holidays and tightened security with road closures and bans on drone photography. Residents described the visit as a powerful morale boost: "Everyone goes to Rome to see the pope, but he has come to us," said one attendee, while others said the trip "has brought a smile back to our faces."