Pope Leo XIV Urges Lebanese leaders to Choose Peace And Hope

Beirut, December 1, 2025 — Addressing Lebanon’s civil authorities, civil-society representatives and diplomats at the Presidential Palace in Beirut, Pope Leo XIV called on the country’s leaders to prioritise peace and unity as a daily vocation — not just an aspiration — encouraging young people to speak “the language of hope” that, he said, has repeatedly enabled Lebanon to “start again.” 

In his opening remarks, the Pope praised the resilience of the Lebanese people, noting their capacity to rise again despite hardship and crisis, which he described as a foundation for rebuilding the nation’s future. 

Highlighting the need for lasting reconciliation, he stressed that peace must be built on truth and healing. “There are personal and collective wounds that take many years, sometimes entire generations, to heal,” he said, insisting that reconciliation demands honesty, patience, and a willingness to confront past injustices rather than remain “imprisoned by pain.” 

He reminded authorities that serving the common good requires placing public welfare above personal or partisan interests, urging them to welcome diversity and promote dialogue across communities as the only path toward genuine harmony for Lebanon. 

The Pope’s appeal comes amid political tensions and social challenges in Lebanon, where economic hardship, sectarian divisions and regional instability demand committed leadership, solidarity and a renewed commitment to peace — values he affirmed as urgent for the country’s present and future.

Source and Image Credits : Vatican News