Beirut, 1 December 2025 (dpa/MIA) – Pope Leo XIV made a strong appeal for interreligious dialogue in Lebanon on Monday, praising the country as an example of the coexistence of different faiths.

Lebanon, battered by war and crises, shows that "Christians, Muslims, Druze and countless others can live together and build a country united by respect and dialogue," the head of the Catholic Church said on a visit to Beirut.

"In an age when coexistence can seem like a distant dream, the people of Lebanon, while embracing different religions, stand as a powerful reminder that fear, distrust and prejudice do not have the final word, and that unity, reconciliation, and peace are possible," Leo declared.

In this context, the pope called on the Lebanese people to lead by example and be "builders of peace" in order to "confront intolerance, overcome violence, and banish exclusion."

The pope was speaking alongside representatives of different faiths at Beirut's Martyr's Square, where the city's Mohammad al-Amin Mosque and the Cathedral of Saint George stand side by side.

Both Sunni and Shia clerics also spoke during the ceremony.

Lebanon's Sunni Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian welcomed the pontiff, saying: "With these foundations of faith, I welcome the great guest of Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV, wishing him success in leading the Christian ship for the good of humanity."

Deputy Head of Lebanon's Higher Islamic Shiite Council Sheikh Ali al-Khatib said after his meeting with the pontiff: "We appreciate your visit under these circumstances ... we all hope that your visit will contribute to strengthening the fragile national unity in this country, which is burdened with wounds due to the ongoing Israeli aggression."

"Wars waged in the name of religion do not reflect the true nature of religion, which is fundamentally based on the sanctity and dignity of human life," he added.

Lebanon is home to various religions communities, including Muslims - both Sunni and Shia -, Christians and Druze.

The country is currently experiencing the worst economic crisis in its history, with around 60% of the population living in poverty.

The tense security situation following the most recent war between the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia and Israel has further added to people's woes.

Muslim and Christians worshippers greeted the pope in downtown Beirut amid a heavy security presence.

"I am Muslim, but the pope is for all and in this country we want unity and prayer," Sami Kabbani told dpa.

Zeina Chabban, a Muslim Shiite travelled from Beirut's southern suburbs "to see the pope because this is a historic thing for me and my children."

A Muslim prayer was held in Leo's presence before he addressed the crowds.

Earlier, Leo first visited the tomb of the country's national saint, Charbel Makhlouf, in the town of Aannaya,  north of Beirut.

Despite persistent rain, many Lebanese lined the route of the pope's motorcade. Some waved Lebanese and Vatican flags and threw flower petals and rice onto his popemobile in greeting.

The tomb of Makhlouf (1828-98) is a place of pilgrimage for Christians. Makhlouf was a monk who was said to have performed miracles.

There, Leo prayed quietly at the darkened tomb. He then told the gathered crowd in French: "We pray for peace in the world. We pray especially for Lebanon and for the entire Levant."

The pope then visited the pilgrimage site of Harissa for a large gathering of priests and other religious and pastoral workers from the local Catholic Church.

At this important site for the country's Christians, with its statue of the Virgin Mary, around 2,000 people welcomed him with thunderous applause and cries of "Viva il Papa," or "Long live the pope," in Italian.