Pope Leo's Final Lebanon Visit: A Message of Hope and Justice Amidst Wounds of the Past

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In a poignant gesture, Pope Leo XIV will conclude his first foreign trip to Turkey and Lebanon with a silent prayer at the devastating Beirut port explosion site. The visit comes as Lebanon continues to grapple with the aftermath of the 2020 blast that claimed 218 lives and left billions of dollars in damage. The explosion, triggered by hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse, has yet to yield any convictions despite a judicial investigation repeatedly obstructed by officials. Pope Leo's message of peace and reconciliation resonates deeply with the Lebanese people, who have been plagued by decades of corruption and financial crimes. During his visit, he urged the country's leaders to pursue truth and accountability as a means of healing and moving forward. The Pope's emphasis on interfaith coexistence was evident in a gathering of Christian and Muslim spiritual leaders on Monday, a powerful testament to the country's ability to come together in the face of adversity. For families of the blast victims, Pope Leo's visit is a bittersweet moment. Mireille Khoury, who lost her 15-year-old son Elias, expressed hope that the prayer would bring some solace and relaxation from the anger that still lingers. However, she emphasized that justice must be served before true healing can begin. An ongoing probe has implicated numerous politicians, judicial, and security officials, and families are pushing for international support, including from the Vatican. As Pope Leo prepares to depart Lebanon, he will meet with relatives of the blast victims and preside over a Mass along the Beirut waterfront. The visit is a poignant reminder of the need for justice and accountability in a country still reeling from the effects of the blast. For Mireille Khoury and others, the hope is that this visit will be a step towards a brighter future, one where the wounds of the past can begin to heal.