Name: Pope Leo arrives in Lebanon amid regional unrest
Uploaded: 2025-12-01T00:20:04.893Z
Duration: 2 min 30 s
Description: A warm and somewhat wet welcome for Pope Leo as he begins his visit to Lebanon at a time of escalating tensions with Israel.

A warm and somewhat wet welcome for Pope Leo as he begins his visit to Lebanon at a time of escalating tensions with Israel.

Beirut

Pope Leo arrived in Lebanon, becoming the fourth Roman Catholic pontiff to visit the country. His visit comes at a time of heightened tension in the region, following repeated Israeli bombings despite a ceasefire agreement reached a year prior. During his stay, Pope Leo is scheduled to meet with political leaders from Lebanon's major religious sects and members of the country's large Christian community.

The Pope reaffirmed the Vatican's support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the Holy See's long-standing endorsement of this approach. His arrival was met with public celebration despite heavy rain, and he praised Lebanon's diversity as a foundation for peace, a sentiment echoed by Lebanese officials and citizens who view the visit as a sign of hope.

Pope Leo arrives in Lebanon amid regional unrest

Pope Leo has arrived in Lebanon, becoming the fourth Roman Catholic pontiff to visit the country. His trip comes as Lebanon faces the possibility of renewed conflict after repeated Israeli bombing, despite a ceasefire agreed a year ago. He's set to meet with political leaders representing the country's major religious sects, and he'll also travel the country, meeting members of Lebanon's large Christian community. The pontiff says he's completing a mission his predecessor Pope Francis hoped to fulfill, bringing what he calls a message of hope and peace in the Middle East. On his way to Lebanon, Pope Leo said that the Vatican continues to support a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. The Holy See has for many years publicly endorsed the proposal of a solution of two states. We all know that in this moment Israel does not accept that solution, but we see it as the only solution that could offer a solution to the conflict that is still alive. 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. All right, Ali Hashim is covering Pope Leo's visit for us from Beirut. And Ali, the Pope touching down to a rather rainy Beirut, but plenty of pomp and ceremony for his arrival. Absolutely, the pontiff was celebrated here in Beirut from the airport to the palace, the presidential palace. People were standing beside the road and under really heavy rain. However, they stayed, they waited for him, they celebrated him, and he crossed from there towards the palace to meet the president and other officials. Now, the Pope spoke about Lebanon, gave a speech, praised the country's diversity, and stressed that this diversity is Lebanon's road towards peace. Many people in Lebanon are kind of counting on this visit. They see it that it's a sign of hope, because at the end, in a country where there are a lot of reasons for worrying, this visit gives some hope. And this is also what the president spoke when he addressed the Pope, and this is the idea of receiving the pontiff in Lebanon after all these years. Ali, thank you very much for the update. Ali Hashim joining us live from Beirut.

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