Pope Leo XIV Convenes Historic Interfaith Summit in Beirut, Urging Dialogue and Hope
BEIRUT, LEBANON — December 2, 2025
Pope Leo XIV Convenes Historic Interfaith Summit: Pontiff Urges Dialogue and Hope in Beirut, Calling on Leaders to Preserve Lebanon’s Pluralistic Identity
In a monumental effort to galvanize peace in a deeply fractured region, Pope Leo XIV today concluded a centerpiece event of his Apostolic Journey to Lebanon, convening a historic Ecumenical and Interfaith Dialogue Meeting in Beirut’s central Martyrs’ Square.
The summit brought together the spiritual leaders and senior clerics of Lebanon’s diverse Christian and Muslim sects—including Sunni, Shia, Maronite, and Druze representatives—under the powerful banner of interreligious dialogue and coexistence.
The Pontiff’s key message to the assembled authorities and communities was an impassioned plea to view the nation as “a message of freedom and an example of pluralism,” urging them to put aside political divisions and economic despair to preserve the country’s unique social fabric.
The Pope’s visit, his first official journey to Lebanon, is taking place at a critical juncture: the country is reeling from an economic collapse, political paralysis, and the persistent threat of regional conflict, having signed a precarious ceasefire with Israel only a year prior.
Against this backdrop of despair, Pope Leo XIV—who arrived from Turkey—stressed that mutual dialogue, even amid misunderstandings, is the only path that leads to reconciliation.
He challenged Lebanon’s leaders to be “true peacemakers” by prioritizing the common good over sectarian or personal interests, and used the opportunity to deliver an emotional message to the country’s youth, urging them not to abandon their homeland in search of stability abroad.
Headline Points
Interfaith Summit:
Pope Leo XIV hosted a major Ecumenical and Interfaith Dialogue Meeting in Martyrs’ Square, Beirut, attended by leaders of Lebanon’s diverse Christian and Muslim communities.
Core Message:
The Pontiff urged religious and political leaders to make peace and reconciliation their highest priority, calling Lebanon a vital “message of freedom” for the Middle East.
Plea to Youth:
In a separate meeting, the Pope passionately appealed to young Lebanese, Syrian, and Iraqi people not to lose hope or emigrate, encouraging them to be the “hope we older generations have lost.”
Pilgrimage of Solidarity:
The Pope visited the tomb of Saint Charbel Makhlouf—a Catholic saint revered by Christians and Muslims—as a symbol of interfaith unity and resilience.
Political Challenge:
The Pontiff directly challenged Lebanon’s political class to put aside sectionalism and corruption, emphasizing that true peace is built on justice and selfless service.
The Dialogue of Coexistence
The ecumenical and interreligious gathering was strategically held in Martyrs’ Square, a site with profound historical and political significance, symbolizing both Lebanon’s painful past and its potential for unity.
In his address, the Pope celebrated Lebanon’s rich religious pluralism, noting that in an age when coexistence can seem like a distant dream, the people of Lebanon stand as a powerful reminder that fear, distrust, and prejudice do not have the final word.
He prayed that every toll of the church bell and every Muslim call to prayer would “blend into a single, soaring hymn” for peace.
The Pontiff’s message was consistent across his meetings with the President, Prime Minister, and religious heads:
the international significance of Lebanon rests on its model of a multi-confessional state.
He encouraged Christians in particular to remain in the country, recognizing that Christian emigration—driven by economic hardship and conflict—diminishes the very diversity that gives Lebanon its identity.
By urging them to stay and build a future, the Pope seeks to ensure that this crucial bastion of Christianity in the Middle East does not collapse under pressure.
The Message to the Next Generation
Earlier in the day, the Pope met with hundreds of young people at the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke.
After listening to powerful testimonies from volunteers who exemplified Christian-Muslim solidarity amidst the devastation of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, Pope Leo XIV offered a profound message of hope.
Acknowledging that the youth are “inheriting a world torn apart by wars and disfigured by social injustice,” he encouraged them to draw on the strength of the Lebanese cedars:
deep roots of faith and selfless service. He urged them to “dream, plan, and do good,” asserting that they possess the “gift of time” that older generations have lost to cynicism.
This meeting was seen as a deliberate strategy to re-anchor the youth in their homeland, framing their continued presence as an act of profound courage and faith.
The UK and London’s Diplomatic Support
London, UK, CJ Global Newspaper:
The Apostolic Journey of Pope Leo XIV to Lebanon has been welcomed warmly by the British government and religious leaders in London, UK, who view the Vatican’s influence as an essential, non-political force for stability.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has long supported initiatives aimed at promoting interreligious dialogue and stability in Lebanon.
London-based analysts emphasize that the Pope’s powerful call for leaders to prioritize the common good over corruption and sectarianism reinforces the UK’s own diplomatic messaging to the Lebanese government. The visit serves to refocus global attention on Lebanon’s continuing humanitarian and economic suffering, which British aid programs have been working to alleviate. The UK will see the success of the Pope’s message as critical to preventing further Christian flight and ensuring that the country can finally muster the political will needed to undertake the painful but necessary economic reforms required to access full international financial support.
