Pope Leo stopped by the site of the powerful chemical explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed 218 people and injured 7,000 in August 2020. He held a moment of silent prayer in front of the memorial for the victims.

Pope Leo XIV, on the last day of his first international trip since assuming he papacy in May, celebrated a Mass attended by 150,000 in Beirut and called on people in the Middle East to set aside old divisions and strive or peace.