Pope Leo XIV visited the site of the August 4, 2020 Beirut port explosion on Tuesday morning, in what became one of the most symbolically charged moments of his third and final day in Lebanon. Still scarred by the blast, he was welcomed by families of the victims, who came to express both their grief and their unrelenting demand for truth and justice.
Standing before the memorial sign listing the names of the 245 victims, the pontiff paused for a silent prayer, then laid a wreath and lit a candle in tribute to those who lost their lives.
Pope Leo XIV spoke with each person individually, shaking hands and listening to testimonies that many Lebanese officials have never taken the time to hear. For many, this direct, protocol-free encounter offered a sense of renewed hope.
The meeting brought a brief but meaningful moment of recognition for families who say they’ve felt abandoned for over five years. The pope’s visit went far beyond symbolic presence: he asked questions, requested names, and paid attention to faces and stories. The gesture, rare in its depth and humanity, stood in stark contrast to what relatives describe as enduring institutional indifference.
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