"Capping off symbolic three-day visit, the Pontiff urged Lebanese unity and the pursuit of peace and justice. Pope Leo XIV has offered prayers at the site of the 2020 Beirut port blast, one of the final stops in his three-day visit to Lebanon. The Catholic leader prayed silently and lit a lamp on Tuesday morning at a monument to the more than 220 people that were killed and 6,500 injured in the explosion."
"With mounds of rubble and the remains of the devastated facility within sight, the Pontiff shook hands, blessed and spoke with each one of the survivors and relatives of victims who were present. We are very grateful for this visit from the Pope, said Cecile Roukoz, a lawyer whose brother died in the explosion. We know that he raises his voice for justice and we need justice for our brothers and all the victims of this explosion."
"Victims and families of those killed are still seeking justice five years after the blast, which caused billions of dollars in damage as it tore through neighbourhoods. No official has been convicted in a judicial investigation that has been repeatedly obstructed, angering Lebanese for whom the blast was just the latest evidence of impunity after decades of corruption and financial crimes. When Leo arrived in Lebanon on Sunday, he had urged the country's political leaders to pursue the truth as a means of peace and reconciliation. Tens of thousands later congregated at Beirut's waterfront for the Pope's Mass, capping off his three-day visit to the country."
The Pope prayed and lit a lamp at the Beirut port blast monument honoring more than 220 killed and 6,500 injured. He shook hands, blessed and spoke with survivors and relatives amid visible rubble and remains of the devastated facility. Families continue to seek justice five years after the explosion; no official has been convicted and the judicial investigation has been repeatedly obstructed. The Pope urged Lebanese unity, pursuit of truth, peace and reconciliation and called on political leaders to pursue justice as a path to healing. Tens of thousands attended a waterfront Mass to close the three-day visit.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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