Beirut: Pope Leo XIV delivered a poignant homily during a Holy Mass at the ‘Beirut Waterfront’, urging the people of Lebanon to maintain an attitude of praise and gratitude despite the myriad challenges they face.

According to National News Agency – Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV addressed the congregation with a message centered on gratitude and hope. He reflected on the current struggles facing Lebanon, including political instability, economic hardship, and social unrest, which have overshadowed the nation’s beauty and historical significance. The Pope emphasized the importance of finding small shining lights in times of darkness and encouraged the Lebanese people to remain hopeful and united.

Pope Leo XIV drew from the Gospel, highlighting Jesus’s words of gratitude to the Father and urging the Lebanese to cultivate a similar attitude. He acknowledged the beauty of Lebanon, as celebrated in Scripture, and lamented how evil, poverty, and suffering have marred the nation’s splendor. The Pope also visited the port site of the recent explosion to offer prayers and express solidarity with the victims.

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV stressed that Jesus’s gratitude was not for extraordinary works but for revealing greatness to the humble and the unnoticed. He called on the Lebanese to recognize the small signs of hope and rebirth, even amidst challenging circumstances. The Pope praised the sincere faith of the Lebanese people, the dedication of priests and laypeople to charitable works, and the efforts of parishes and congregations in addressing societal needs.

The Pope urged the Lebanese to transform gratitude into action, leading to a conversion of heart and a commitment to peace and justice. He called for disarming ethnic and political divisions, fostering mutual encounters among religious communities, and realizing a united Lebanon. Pope Leo XIV envisioned a Lebanon where peace and justice reign, echoing the prophetic words of Isaiah about harmony and unity.

Concluding his homily, Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share in the sufferings and hopes of the Lebanese people. He prayed for Lebanon to be a beacon of peace and a prophetic sign for the Levant, emphasizing the need for faith and perseverance in hope.