Sawt Falasteen - Pope to offer hope on Lebanon visit

After arriving from Turkey on his inaugural visit abroad as pontiff, Leo called on Lebanon's leaders to serve their long-suffering people, who have emigrated in droves from the Mediterranean country.

Thousands of people braved the rain and lined the streets north of Beirut from early morning in the hopes of greeting the pope as his motorcade passes, with some waving Lebanese or Vatican flags.

"Everyone goes to Rome to see the pope, but he has come to us," said housewife Therese Daraouni, 61, among those waiting to see Leo.

"This is the greatest blessing, and the greatest grace and hope for Lebanon. I hope people unite for the sake of Lebanon and its people," she told AFP.

Leo will first visit a monastery in Annaya in the mountains north of Beirut which hosts the tomb of Saint Charbel, a Maronite hermit who was canonised in 1977 and who enjoys broad popularity beyond the Christian community.

Depictions of the white-bearded saint can be found in homes, vehicles and workplaces across the country.

Music resonated from the monastery, where thousands had gathered amid strict security measures.

- 'Brought a smile back' -

"We are very happy about the pope's visit. His trip has brought a smile back to our faces... after many difficulties," said Yasmine Chidiac, waiting near where the pope is staying.

"We always have hope and faith in peace, and hope that Lebanon remains a beacon and meeting place" for the world, she added.

Lebanon is reeling from a six-year economic collapse widely blamed on official corruption and mismanagement, and many also fear renewed war between Israel and Hezbollah despite a ceasefire in November 2024 that sought to end more than a year of hostilities.

Israel has intensified strikes on Lebanon in recent weeks despite the truce, while the cash-strapped Lebanese government is under heavy US pressure to disarm the Iran-backed militants.

Leo's visit comes as "we are struggling with many economic, social and political problems", said Elias Abou Nasr Chaalan, 44, a jeweller and father-of-two.

"We need hope and to unite as Lebanese," he said, noting that the pope had already brought together Lebanese officials and religious leaders.

"Through our unity, we can overcome all difficulties," he said.

- Inter-religious meeting -

After the monastery, Leo is to address bishops and clergy at a shrine in Harissa, also north of Beirut, where a giant statue of Our Lady of Lebanon overlooks the Mediterranean from a plunging hilltop.

The pope will also hold an inter-religious event in central Beirut's Martyrs' Square, before meeting young people at the patriarchate of Lebanon's Maronite church in Bkerke, outside the capital.

Authorities have proclaimed December 1 and 2 as official holidays, and ramped-up security measures include road closures and a ban on all drone photography.

Leo has called on Lebanon's leaders to place themselves "with commitment and dedication at the service" of the people and has urged reconciliation in a country whose 1975-1990 civil war divisions have never fully healed.

"Peace is knowing how to live together, in communion, as reconciled people," Leo said, also noting Lebanon's "exodus of young people and families seeking a future elsewhere".

His trip has been eagerly awaited in multi-confessional Lebanon, where the last pope to visit was Benedict XVI in 2012.

In Turkey, Leo took a cautious approach, balancing political sensitivities while also urging unity and respect for religious diversity.

H.Nasr--SF-PST