Hezbollah warmly welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s call for reconciliation and dignity-based peace during his historic visit to Lebanon, framing the message as urgent amid continued Israeli aggression.
Pope Leo XIV delivered a carefully-worded and symbolically charged address at the Lebanese Presidential Palace on Sunday, urging political leaders, communities, and civil society to embrace Lebanon’s “historic vocation as peacemakers” at a moment of escalating regional tensions and continued Israeli aggression along the southern border.
Speaking before President Joseph Aoun, religious figures, diplomats, and key state officials, the pontiff described Lebanon as a land where “peace is more than a word — it is a desire, a vocation, a gift, and a work in progress.”
Despite the country’s profound political paralysis and deep social fractures, Pope Leo praised Lebanese society as one that “does not give up,” calling its resilience an “essential characteristic of authentic peacemakers.”
When Pope Leo XIV arrived at the presidential palace in Beirut, the lights dimmed and a spectacular 3D mapping show lit up the façade in his honor on his first day in Lebanon. A two-minute projection of lights and images, accompanied by a drone display and a dove soaring across… pic.twitter.com/xE58AVCeLk
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He warned, however, that peace cannot be built “on precarious balances” or factional interests, stressing that true reconciliation requires confronting painful truths and healing generational wounds. “The truth can only be honored through encountering one another,” he said.
His remarks concluded with a cultural metaphor: Lebanon as a country that “turns music into unity,” where peace must become “a divine melody capable of restoring harmony.”
Hezbollah: ‘Civilizational Bridge’
The Lebanese movement Hezbollah issued a warmly worded statement welcoming the Pope’s visit and message.
The group affirmed that Lebanon is “a civilizational bridge between the followers of the two divine messages: Christianity and Islam,” emphasizing that coexistence and national consensus are not merely political arrangements but pillars of the country’s sovereignty and stability.
Hezbollah lauded the pontiff’s longstanding stance on human dignity and rights, stating: “In your guidance and messages, we see a clear commitment to human rights and the necessity of respecting and protecting them.”
Massive crowds brave heavy rain in Lebanon to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo XIV. pic.twitter.com/I2svrGbl3l
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Addressing global conflicts, the statement attributed the roots of violence worldwide to “the unwillingness of some to acknowledge or respect the rights of others,” in reference to Israel’s actions in South Lebanon and Gaza.
Hezbollah’s statement also positioned Pope Leo’s visit as particularly timely, given Israel’s ongoing aggression, warning that Lebanon’s stability cannot be isolated from violations of sovereignty and regional dynamics.
A Respectful Welcome from the Presidency
President Joseph Aoun formally received the Pope, calling Lebanon “small in size, yet great in its message.” His remarks framed the country as a symbol of religious coexistence and a democratic space where rights are shared rather than traded.
As he arrives in Beirut, Pope Leo XIV signs the Book of Honour at the Presidential Palace, meets with President Joseph Aoun, and receives the gift of a tennis racket and balls.
“On the first day of my visit to Lebanon, one of two countries that I am visiting on this first… pic.twitter.com/oQbQgznq10
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) November 30, 2025
Aoun invoked historic papal support and referenced the oft-cited declaration of Saint John Paul II: “Lebanon is more than a country; it is a message.”
“We implore you,” Aoun added, “tell the world that we shall not die, nor leave, nor despair.”
(PC, Al Mayadeen, Al Araby Al Jadeed)
IF I were the Pope, I would now go to GAZA… leave the mobile behind and get out and walk through the shattered streets and broken buildings… the entire length of GAZA … until overcome and exhausted and cold… i would sink to my knees and cry… as the smell of death wafted in the air from so many innocent dead under the rubble… BUT then I would stand up and ask israel : ” HOW in the NAME of GOD and in the forgotten name of Humanity COULD YOU DO THIS ? ” and I would ask those Nations involved… ” HOW COULD YOU ENABLE THIS BY SUPPLYING THE BOMBS—AND FOR 2 ENDLESS YEARS ??? ” Then, I would SUPPLY Billions of the Church’s dollars to IMMEDIATELY aid the Palestinians..
Stop saying there should be a two-state solution. The Israeli Jewish Nazis don’t want to share…is that not completely obvious by now??? There is only state: Palestine.
There never was an ” Israel ” and there will never be one. What they are is a nation of baby-killing pedophiles, most of whom are secular/Atheist. When they’re finally gone, no one will miss them.
Let’s try this the other way:
“Stop saying there should be a two-state solution. The Palestinian Muslim Jihadists don’t want to share…is that not completely obvious by now??? There is only state: Israel.
There never was a ‘Palestine’ and there will never be one. What they are is a nation of kidnappers, murderers, and rapists, most of whom are terrorists. When they’re finally gone, no one will miss them.”
The Palestinians and the Jews will continue to argue and shout at each other, and because neither will listen, they will continue to shoot each other. Unless they recognize that both Jews and Muslims are people, humans, like themselves. Listening, dialogue, dignity. That’s his whole point.