**Pope Leo Visits Lebanon Amid Concerns Over Christian Exodus**
Pope Leo arrived in Lebanon on Saturday, marking the start of a highly anticipated three-day visit focused on peace and interfaith unity. His visit comes at a time when Lebanon, once known for its strong Christian presence in the Middle East, is facing rising political and economic uncertainty. Many Christian families are leaving the country, and numbers are falling throughout the region.
Lebanon has a large Christian population compared to other Middle Eastern countries. However, ongoing financial troubles, lack of job opportunities, and frequent political tensions have pushed many to migrate abroad. According to recent estimates, tens of thousands of Christians have left Lebanon over the past five years.
The Pope met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Najib Mikati shortly after arriving in Beirut. He spoke about the importance of protecting all religious groups and called for peace and dialogue in the wider region. In a brief public statement, Pope Leo said, “We must work together to ensure the Middle East remains a home for all faiths.”
As part of his visit, the Pope also met with religious leaders from both Christian and Muslim communities. He emphasized unity and cooperation as key to building a stable future. Later in the day, he led a public mass attended by thousands of people in downtown Beirut. Security was tight, but the event went smoothly without incident.
Religious diversity is a key feature of Lebanese society. However, experts say that the departure of many Christians could change the country’s population balance and social structure. Churches across Lebanon have reported lower attendance, and many schools and hospitals run by Christian communities are struggling to stay open.
Human rights advocates are urging continued support for religious minorities across the Middle East, especially as conflicts in neighboring Syria and Gaza increase pressure on Lebanon and Jordan as host countries for refugees.
Pope Leo is expected to visit several historical churches in the north on Sunday and will attend an interfaith conference on Monday before returning to the Vatican. His message continues to focus on peace, support for struggling communities, and the importance of staying united during hard times.
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