'Blessed are the peacemakers': Pope Leo XIV commends Lebanon’s tenacity for peace

Speaking for Lebanon's presidential palace, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Lebanon’s resilience, calling the nation a community that "does not give up," but rises with courage even through hardship. Peace in Lebanon, he said, is not merely an idea but "a desire and a vocation... a work in progress," sustained by people who persevere despite economic strain and instability. Addressing officials and diplomats, the Pope praised Lebanon’s diversity and described its unity as rooted in a shared "language of hope", one that has allowed the country to rebuild itself time and time again. "It takes tenacity to build peace," he reminded them, urging Lebanon not to lose the resolve that has carried it through crises before.