Pope Leo XIV visited the site of the deadly Beirut port explosion on Tuesday. He prayed quietly at the memorial for the 218 people who lost their lives in the 2020 disaster. The ruined grain silo and burned vehicles stood nearby, reminding everyone of the massive destruction caused when hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate exploded.

Families of the victims gathered as he arrived. They held up photographs of their loved ones and stood in silence. The pope first prayed at the monument and then greeted each relative, holding their hands in a private and emotional moment.

This visit came on the last day of his first overseas trip. It sent a powerful message to a country still struggling to heal.

Blast has become a symbol of corruption

For many in Lebanon, the blast has become a symbol of corruption and lack of accountability. Five years have passed, yet no official has been convicted. Investigations have faced repeated obstruction. Anger and frustration remain strong among the public.

Cecile Roukoz, whose brother died in the blast, said, “The visit clearly sends the message that the explosion was a crime. There should be a message, the country should end impunity and ensure justice is served.”

When the pope arrived in Lebanon on Sunday, he urged political leaders to search for the truth. He said justice is the only path to peace and reconciliation.

Mass at Beirut waterfront draws huge crowd

After visiting the blast site, Pope Leo XIV led his final Mass at the Beirut waterfront. Around 150,000 people attended. Many came despite economic hardship and fear of conflict.

During the Mass, he spoke about the suffering people have faced. He mentioned the economic crisis, the port explosion, and ongoing tension in the region. He said it is normal to feel helpless in difficult times.

“At times, people feel ‘paralyzed by powerlessness in the face of evil and oppressed by so many difficult situations,’” he said.

However, he urged the people not to give up hope. “Let us cast off the armor of our ethnic and political divisions… and reawaken in our hearts the dream of a united Lebanon,” he said. “A Lebanon where peace and justice reign, where all recognize each other as brothers and sisters.”

He ended with a strong message, “Lebanon, stand up! Be a home of justice and fraternity! Be a prophetic sign of peace for the whole of the Levant!”

Emotional visit to psychiatric hospital

Earlier in the day, the pope visited the De La Croix hospital. The hospital treats people with psychological illnesses. Children greeted him, some dressed as guards and cardinals, and one as the pope himself in white.

Mother Marie Makhlouf welcomed him and explained that the hospital cares for the “forgotten souls, burdened by their loneliness.”

The pope reminded everyone of their responsibility toward vulnerable people. “We cannot forget those who are most fragile… We cannot conceive of a society that races ahead at full speed… while ignoring so many situations of poverty and vulnerability,” he said.

Many Lebanese felt hopeful. Pope Francis had not been able to visit earlier because of political and health challenges. Pilgrim Maggie Claudine said, “For Lebanon, (the visit) means a lot… We hope that peace will prevail.”

Families continue to demand accountability

Several relatives of victims were present at the blast site. Among them was Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed, whose mother died in the explosion. Mireille Khoury, whose 15-year-old son Elias was killed, also stood nearby.

Khoury pointed to the building where her son died. She said the country cannot recover without truth and accountability.

“Justice is the basis of building any country,” she said.
“Our children were killed in their homes… because someone kept (ammonium) nitrate in the main port of the city near a residential area.”

She added that the pope’s prayers offer emotional relief, but the pain will not fully go away without justice. “I will not say that this anger will fully just disappear,” she said. “But I think it will give some sort of relaxation of this anger… until justice is served.”

Families continue to gather every month to honour the victims. They also ask the international community to support an independent and fair investigation.

Debate over the damaged silos

The future of the port’s damaged grain silos remains uncertain. The government once planned to demolish them. Families and survivors protested strongly. They want the structure to stay as a memorial and possible evidence for the investigation.

Although the port has started operating again, large parts are still not fully rebuilt. For many, the broken silos stand as a permanent reminder of a tragedy that must not be forgotten.