More than 120,000 people will attend Pope Leo XIV’s Mass in Beirut on TuesdayThis came at the conclusion of his visit to Lebanon and on a day marked by honoring him at the site of the 2020 port explosion, the tragedy that left more than 220 people dead and destroyed large areas of the capital.
The Pope arrived from Türkiye on Sunday on his first international trip as head of the Catholic Church. In his public messages, he conveyed hope to residents affected by the crisis and war with Israel last year, a conflict that kept the country on edge for months.
The visit created a period of respite in Beirut. Many Lebanese took to the streets hoping to see him. The papal presence, said Yasmine Chidiac, a young woman who tried to watch the Pope pass by on Monday “It brought a smile back to our faces.”.
The authorities confirmed that more than 120,000 people had registered to participate in the mass scheduled in the coastal area of the city. Since Monday night, widespread traffic restrictions have been imposed in large parts of central Beirut, along with checkpoints and traffic diversions.
Before heading to port, Pope He will visit a psychiatric hospital It is run by a community of nuns in the capital. He will then lead a silent prayer at the site of the August 4, 2020 explosion and salute relatives of victims and survivors who are still demanding judicial progress.
The 2020 explosion is considered among the largest non-nuclear explosions recorded in the world. It flattened buildings, homes and businesses, leaving deep gashes in a city already in the throes of a historic economic collapse. According to the authorities, the explosion was caused by a fire in a warehouse Tons of ammonium nitrate It remained stored unattended for years, despite multiple warnings from high-ranking officials.
The official investigation continues without concrete results. Various local and international organizations denounced the political obstacles facing the work of the independent judge leading the file. Relatives of the victims reiterated their demands for justice and requested that the Pope’s presence clarify their demands.
On Monday, during an interfaith meeting in Beirut, the Pope urged Christian and Muslim leaders to confront intolerance. “The country needs a real commitment to stop the violence.”He stated this before a gathering of representatives of different sects in the capital.
In Bkerke, the headquarters of the Maronite Patriarchate, thousands of young people held a massive reception for the visitor. Organizers estimated the number of attendees at 15,000 people. There, the Pope encouraged young people to work in projects that would renew the life of the country. “You have the enthusiasm to change the course of history.”He announced to the crowd, adding that the Lebanese youth are capable of building “New future” Despite the difficulties.
The security authorities explained that preparations for the Mass will include large-scale operations, identity checks, and restricting vehicle movement. The government confirmed that planning seeks to avoid accidents at a ceremony that will bring together one of the largest public gatherings since the outbreak of the social and economic disease that has affected the country in recent years.
(Information from Agence France-Presse)