Beirut: Pope Leo XIV concluded his historic three-day visit to Lebanon with an official farewell ceremony held in his honor at the VIP terminal at Rafik Hariri International Airport, in the presence of President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, as well as various cabinet ministers, members of parliament, and military and religious leaders.

According to National News Agency – Lebanon, President Aoun addressed the Pope, highlighting the significance of the visit, which brought words of hope and optimism to Lebanon. He acknowledged the Pope’s message of peace and reconciliation, emphasizing Lebanon’s role as a model of coexistence and human values.

President Aoun expressed gratitude for the Pope’s engagement with the Lebanese people and his desire for Lebanon to remain a land of dialogue, openness, freedom, and dignity. He assured the Pope that Lebanon would continue to embody these values and requested that Lebanon remain in the Pope’s prayers.

In his address, Pope Leo XIV remarked on the spirit of togetherness he experienced in Lebanon, acknowledging the country’s deep spiritual roots and its commitment to peace. He expressed his emotional connection to the people of Lebanon and the pain felt by the victims of the Beirut port explosion.

The Pope commended the resilience and strength of the Lebanese people, akin to the cedar trees of their mountains, and extended greetings to regions he could not visit, including Tripoli, the Bekaa Valley, and the conflict-affected South.

Pope Leo XIV made a heartfelt appeal for an end to hostilities, advocating for negotiation, mediation, and dialogue as pathways to peace. He urged that peace should be a continuous journey, not just a goal.

Concluding his speech, the Pope reiterated Saint Pope John Paul II’s message that Lebanon is more than a country-it is a message. He encouraged working and hoping together to achieve this vision. After his address, the Pope bid farewell to the faithful gathered at the airport before boarding his plane, marking the end of his historic visit to Lebanon.