Pope Leo XIV met with Christian and Muslim leaders in central Beirut, describing Lebanon as a living example of peaceful coexistence and affirming that interreligious dialogue remains essential to Christian witness in the Middle East. The gathering, held on Martyrs’ Square, brought together senior representatives of the country’s major faith communities — including Orthodox and Catholic patriarchs, Sunni and Shia leaders, as well as Druze and Armenian Church representatives, according to Vatican News.

Antiochian Orthodox Patriarch John X welcomed the Pope, underscoring the historic significance of the Eastern Churches in the life of the region. “Welcome to the East — the land where Christ was an infant, where His Cross was set, and from where the Gospel spread throughout the world,” the Patriarch said, as reported by the Antiochian Church’s press office.

He reminded those gathered that Antioch was the first place where Christ’s followers were called “Christians,” and emphasized that Lebanon “breathes with two lungs — Christian and Muslim.” Patriarch John noted the symbolism of the Pope choosing Lebanon as one of the first destinations of his international visits. “Your presence is a message. We entrust to you our concerns and our land, and we remain in prayer for one another,” he said, calling the Middle East a place where Christianity remains deeply rooted and alive.

At the center of the meeting stood an olive tree, which Pope Leo XIV described as its defining symbol. Present in the traditions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, the olive tree represents “reconciliation, healing, and peace,” he said. Its longevity and ability to flourish in difficult conditions, he added, reflect the resilience of Lebanese society after decades of war and crisis.

“From this tree comes oil — healing and radiant — symbolizing God’s mercy and the call for our hearts to be filled with the light of faith and love,” the Pope told attendees.

Pope Leo XIV emphasized Lebanon’s unique identity as a country where minarets and church bells stand side by side, and where communities of different faiths continue to share a common social fabric. He expressed hope that “every church bell and every adhan would blend into one hymn,” lifting a united prayer for peace.

He also stressed that Middle Eastern Christians are called to dialogue, quoting Pope Benedict XVI: such engagement, he said, is grounded not in political expediency but in a shared belief in God the Creator. Concluding the gathering, Pope Leo recalled the deep veneration of the Virgin Mary in Lebanon and expressed hope that her “maternal protection” would bring peace not only to the country but to the wider Middle East.