By our man in the Vatican
VATICAN CITY – POPE LEO has delivered a stunning and emotional message to the youth of war-torn Lebanon, begging them not to abandon their homeland despite endless Israeli bombings and a crippling economic crisis.
In a dramatic appeal, the leader of the Catholic Church told young people it took “real courage and foresight to stay” in the face of disaster, even as the country grapples with violence and poverty.
The Holy Father acknowledged the terrifying situation in the Middle East nation, which is hammered daily by ceaseless bombings and an economic meltdown that has pushed millions into desperation.
He admitted that running away was the “easier” option for many seeking a better life free from the threat of war.
But Pope Leo insisted the youth must be the ones to rebuild the shattered country, declaring: “There are times when it’s easier to flee, or more convenient to move elsewhere. It takes real courage and foresight to stay or to return to one’s own country.”
His words come as Lebanon continues to suffer instability, with many young, educated citizens choosing to emigrate in search of work and safety, draining the nation of its essential talent.
Lebanon is currently facing a double catastrophe that has fueled mass emigration.
Economic Collapse: The nation has been embroiled in one of the world’s worst financial crises in history since 2019.
The local currency has lost over 90 per cent of its value, plunging the majority of the population below the poverty line and leading to severe shortages of fuel, medicine, and electricity.
Regional Conflict: The border region between Lebanon and Israel remains a flashpoint for intense violence. Ongoing clashes, particularly involving the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, have led to continuous Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire, displacing thousands of families and making large parts of the south an active war zone.
