Pope Leo holds Beirut mass and visits blast site

THOUSANDS of Lebanese faithful were making their way to Beirut’s waterfront ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s mass yesterday, the highlight of the Catholic leader’s visit to the capital expected to draw huge crowds.

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Before the service the pope was to pray at the site of a catastrophic port explosion on the final day of his Lebanon visit.

The pontiff arrived from Turkiye at the weekend on his inaugural visit abroad as pope and brought a message of hope, particularly to young people in Lebanon, whose faith in their beleaguered country has dwindled.

His trip has been a welcome distraction in a nation still reeling from a war last year between Israel and militant group Hezbollah, with many fearing renewed hostilities.

Pope Leo’ first stop yesterday was at a psychiatric hospital run by nuns near the capital, where he was greeted by hospital staff and patients to cheers, applause and shower a of rose petals.