Pope Leo calls for unity in Lebanon

IN a Beirut square that was once a physical embodiment of Lebanon's sectarian rifts, Christian and Muslim leaders united around Pope Leo XIV this week as he urged them to work for peace in their divided nation.

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Lebanon, whose political system has long been based on religious balance, suffered through years of sectarian conflict, and faith leaders at Monday’s interreligious meeting emphasised the importance of unity and coexistence.

Speaking from Martyrs’ Square which served as a demarcation dividing Beirut along sectarian lines during Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war Leo called on the leaders to be “builders of peace: to confront intolerance, overcome violence and banish exclusion, illuminating the path toward justice and concord”.

He sat surrounded by the spiritual heads of 16 Muslim and Christian denominations, out of the 18 recognised by Lebanon.

The Jewish and Ismaili faiths were not represented, as those recognised communities have very few members remaining in the country.