Pope Wraps Lebanon Visit with Prayer, Emphasizing Justice and Reconciliation
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Beirut, Lebanon - In a poignant conclusion to his visit, Pope Leo XIV paid his respects to the victims of the devastating 2020 Beirut port explosion, a tragedy that has left a lasting scar on the country. The explosion, which killed 218 people and caused billions of dollars in damage, has become a symbol of Lebanon's struggles with corruption and dysfunction. The pope met with relatives of some of the victims, who are still seeking justice and accountability for the disaster. A judicial investigation has been repeatedly obstructed, fueling anger among the Lebanese people. In his visit, Pope Leo urged the country's leaders to pursue the truth as a means of achieving peace and reconciliation. On his final day in Lebanon, the pope began with a visit to the De La Croix hospital, where he was greeted by a group of young boys dressed as Swiss Guards and other officials. He will close his visit with a Mass along the Beirut waterfront before returning to Rome. The visit has been a long time coming, with Pope Francis attempting to visit Lebanon for years but being thwarted by economic and political crises, as well as his own health issues. Thousands of Lebanese people have gathered at the waterfront site, eager to see the pope and express their hopes for peace and a better future. For many, including Mireille Khoury, whose 15-year-old son Elias died in the blast, the pope's visit is a small step towards healing, but it is not enough without justice and accountability. Khoury has been advocating for the completion of the investigation, which has implicated several high-ranking officials. The pope's silent prayer at the site of the explosion is a powerful symbol of his support for the Lebanese people and their quest for justice. As the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the blast, the pope's visit serves as a reminder of the importance of truth, accountability, and reconciliation in building a more just and peaceful society.
