- Pope Leo XIV visited the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, laying a wreath and offering a silent prayer in memory of the 236 victims and over 7,000 wounded, demonstrating solidarity and compassion during the final morning of his trip to Lebanon.
- The Pope engaged with families of the victims and survivors, who were still grappling with the unresolved search for justice five years after one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history, emphasizing the deep emotional and societal impact of the tragedy.
- The ongoing investigation into the explosion has been plagued by political interference, delays, and a lack of accountability, leaving families feeling that justice has been prolonged and denied despite the formal resumption of the probe in early 2025.
- Various senior officials, including former Prime Minister Hassan Diab and Major General Abbas Ibrahim, have been summoned in connection with the investigation, though some continue to resist cooperation by invoking immunity or filing legal challenges, which has repeatedly stalled progress.
- Although the investigation, led by Judge Tarek Bitar, saw some movement in early 2025 following commitments from President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Salam to uphold the rule of law, and interim top prosecutor Jamal Hajjar reversed paralyzing measures, the process remains stalled overall, highlighting systemic challenges in achieving an independent and impartial outcome.
Pope Leo prays at Beirut blast site, meets families seeking justice
