BEIRUT: Pope Leo XIV and leaders from Lebanon’s religious communities met in a show of unity on Monday, with the pontiff urging them to combat intolerance on day two of his visit.

Lebanese have joyfully welcomed the American pontiff, turning out in their thousands to his public appearances and lining streets where his motorcade has passed, waving Vatican flags and sometimes ululating or throwing rice in celebration despite intermittent rain.

“You are called to be builders of peace: to confront intolerance, overcome violence, and banish exclusion, illuminating the path toward justice,” Pope Leo told 16 leaders from Lebanon’s 18 officially recognised religious denominations.

“In an age when coexistence can seem like a distant dream, the people of Lebanon, while embracing different religions, stand as a powerful reminder that fear, distrust, and prejudice do not have the final word, and that unity, reconciliation, and peace are possible,” he added.

The event in a marquee in Beirut’s Martyrs’ Square near several mosques and churches included a reading from the Quran and remarks by leaders from Orthodox churches and the Sunni, Shiite, Druze, and Alawite communities, who also emphasised the importance of coexistence.

While long hailed as a model of tolerance, Lebanon was devastated by a 1975-1990 civil war along sectarian lines and is still plagued by deep rifts.

Leo arrived from Turkey on Sunday on his inaugural visit abroad as pontiff and brought a message of hope, particularly to young people in Lebanon whose faith in their crisis-hit country has dwindled.

‘Never without hope’

“For the world, we ask for peace. We especially implore it for Lebanon and for the entire Levant,” Leo said earlier on Monday from a monastery in Annaya hosting the tomb of Saint Charbel, who enjoys broad popularity in Lebanon beyond the Christian community.

The pontiff then visited Harissa, where a giant statue of Our Lady of Lebanon overlooks the Mediterranean from a plunging hilltop. The site also draws visitors of all faiths. A packed gathering of bishops, other religious figures, and pastoral workers in Harissa’s towering basilica erupted into cheers and applause as the pontiff entered, shaking hands with people, including priests and nuns.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2025