Pope Leo XIV concluded his three-day visit to Lebanon by leading a silent prayer at the site of the Beirut port explosion, which occurred on August 4, 2020, and resulted in the deaths of 218 people. During his visit, he met with relatives of the victims and expressed his solidarity with those seeking truth and justice. The explosion was triggered by a fire that ignited 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which had been stored unsafely at the port for nearly six years.
The lack of accountability for this disaster remains a point of concern, as there have been no criminal charges against any officials despite indications that they were aware of the chemical’s dangerous presence and failed to act. Families of victims and activists argue that the domestic investigation has faced obstacles due to political efforts to protect those in power. Relatives expressed their appreciation for the Pope’s visit, citing the significance of his support in their quest for justice.
Following the prayer, Pope Leo XIV celebrated a Mass attended by approximately 150,000 people on Beirut’s waterfront. He addressed the crowd, acknowledging the difficulties Lebanon faces, including poverty and suffering. The Pope called for unity among the country’s diverse communities, urging them to overcome ethnic and political divisions in order to work towards peace and justice.
Since the last papal visit in 2012, Lebanon has experienced numerous crises, including a severe economic depression that began in 2019, mass protests against the government, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Beirut explosion. Political gridlock has hindered necessary economic reforms, and tension continues in the region following a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, which has not ended attacks associated with the ongoing conflict.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn41jge1990o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss