Pope Leo Champions Peace in War-Torn Lebanon

Pope Leo embarks on his remarkable first overseas trip, arriving in Lebanon to advocate for peace amid ongoing Israeli air strikes. Following his visit to Turkey, where he decried violence and intra-religious conflicts, Leo plans significant engagements with Lebanon's leaders and communities, emphasizing a unified call for hope and reconciliation.

Pope Leo set foot in Lebanon on Sunday, aiming to advocate for peace in a nation plagued by Israeli air strikes. This marks the second and concluding segment of his inaugural international journey as the Catholic Church's leader. Prior to this, Leo was in Turkey cautioning against global conflicts.

Lebanon hosts a significant Christian population in the Middle East and has been impacted by the Gaza conflict, involving Israel and Hezbollah. Leaders are concerned about potential intensification of Israeli attacks, with Hezbollah hopeful that Leo's visit might curb aggression.

Diverse Lebanese communities are welcoming Leo, with hopes for a peace-driven solution. In Turkey, Leo connected with Muslim and Orthodox communities, emphasizing unity against violence. His Lebanon itinerary includes significant events such as commemorating the 2020 Beirut port blast.

(With inputs from agencies.)