Pope Leo XIV in Lebanon: 'In Palestine the only solution is two states'

On the second leg of his first foreign trip, Pope Leo XIV visited Beirut in a bid to bring hope to Lebanon amid economic uncertainty, political divisions, and tensions in the region, including a war with Israel.

The pontiff called on Lebanon to begin a new chapter, and urged the country's leaders to push their differences aside to achieve peace, reminding that peace must not simply be an aspiration, but a daily necessity.

Lebanon has the largest Christian community in the Middle East. Pope Leo XIV is fulfilling a promise of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who had wanted to visit for years but was unable to as his health worsened.

Upon his arrival to Beirut, where the pontiff arrived with a Lebanese military jet escort, Pope Leo XIV was greeted first by President Joseph Aoun, then by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. He was also given a grand ceremonial welcome.

The pontiff then continued in a closed popemobile toward the presidential palace, a spectacular scene as he drove through the streets lined with crowds waving Lebanese and Vatican flags, dancers performing a traditional Lebanese dance, while a light projection illuminated the palace façade.

At the Presidential Palace, Pope Leo XIV had a brief meeting with Aoun, Berri and Salam, followed by the watering of a cedar tree signing of the Book of Honour.

The pontiff wrote in the book of honor, “On the first day of my visit to Lebanon, one of the two countries that I am visiting on this first voyage in my pontificate, I happily wish many blessings on all the people of Lebanon, praying that PEACE will reign.”

Pope Leo XIV: "The only solution for Palestine is the two-state solution".

The pope had flown over from Turkey, which marked the first leg of his trip. Speaking to reporters on his flight underway to Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV reiterated the need for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

"The Holy See, for many years, has publicly supported the proposal of a two-state solution. We all know that in this moment Israel still does not accept this solution, but we see it as the only solution that could offer a solution to a conflict that is continuously live".

"We are also friends of Israel, and we try with both sides to be a voice of mediation that can help get closer to a solution with justice for all," the pontiff added.

He reiterated the Church's willingness to act as a "voice of mediation that can help get closer to a solution with justice for all," stressing that Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he met on Thursday,is also "certainly in agreement".

With regard to Ukraine, Leo XIV explained that the government in Ankara "has helped dialogue between the parties" and renewed his hope that such diplomatic work could lead to a solution to the conflict.

During his visit in Turkey, Pope Leo XIV attended on Sunday a prayer in the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Istanbul and a divine liturgy with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

In Istanbul, the pontiff also visited the iconic Blue Mosque, and celebrated a mass at the Volkswagen Arena.