Five years following the Beirut port catastrophe, Pope offers prayers for the bereaved
On August 3, 2025, a prayer vigil took place in Beirut, where 253 olive trees were blessed in memory of the victims of the 2020 Port of Beirut explosion. The event was led by Archbishop Paolo Borgia, Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, who read a message from Pope Leo XIV.
During the vigil, Pope Leo XIV reminded the faithful of the words of the Lord: "He who believes in me, even if he dies, will live; whoever lives and believes in me will never die." (John 11:25-26) He emphasized that Christian hope finds assurance in Christ, who is the God of life, and that death does not and will not have the final word.
Archbishop Borgia highlighted the importance of initiatives of prayer, moments of sharing, and solidarity as a means of thinking about a tomorrow filled with hope and life. He emphasized that there is still a long way to go in the pursuit of truth and justice, and that the Lebanese and families of the victims are still seeking the truth and justice that should prevail.
One such initiative is "Marie's Kitchen", which prepares meals for people and families in difficulty due to the aftermath of the August 4, 2020 explosion or the economic crisis. This is just one example of the many initiatives led by religious figures and laypeople in Lebanon, aimed at honoring the victims and fostering solidarity.
In addition to religious ceremonies, there have been memorial gatherings with prayers and moments of silence, as well as personal and community expressions of grief. Hundreds gathered near Beirut’s coast to solemnly commemorate the anniversary, reading the names of victims and holding a minute of silence at the exact time of the blast. Families and communities have maintained personal rituals like placing portraits of victims alongside incense and prayers, reflecting ongoing spiritual solidarity and remembrance.
Pope Leo XIV expressed compassion to those who have lost loved ones, been injured, or lost everything in the aftermath of the explosion. He assured that he implores the merciful Father to welcome the deceased into his House of rest, light, and peace, and granted the apostolic blessing as a sign of comfort.
Jesus is presented as our savior, as he commanded Lazarus to come out of the tomb. Pope Leo XIV invited us to meditate on Christ's attitude and words when faced with the death of his friend Lazarus.
The Port of Beirut explosion resulted in 235 deaths and over 6,500 injuries. The destruction of entire neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital was a devastating blow to the community, but the response from religious leaders, communities, and individuals has been one of prayer, sharing grief, solidarity, and public calls for justice.
Pope Leo XIV assured of his spiritual closeness and prayer communion with the people affected by the Port of Beirut explosion, and emphasized that there is still hope, as the investigation progresses, despite contradictory interests in the case. He invited the Lebanese people to look towards heaven, comparing them to the Cedar of Lebanon, a symbol of their country.
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- After the prayer vigil, Pope Leo XIV spoke about the ongoing efforts for justice and the importance of unity, emphasizing that the Lebanese people can find hope in their mutual resilience during war-and-conflicts and economic crises, as demonstrated by initiatives such as Marie's Kitchen.
- In his message, Pope Leo XIV called for the Lebanese people to remain focused on seeking truth and justice, which is deeply intertwined with politics, as they continue to process the aftermath of the Port of Beirut explosion and grapple with its consequences in the general news landscape.
