Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that his recent trip to Turkey and Lebanon strengthened his belief that “peace is possible,” pointing to new momentum toward Christian unity and the resolve of Lebanese families still seeking justice for the 2020 Beirut port explosion.

Speaking to thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly address, the pope said his time in Lebanon revealed a “mosaic of coexistence,” where diverse communities continue to live alongside one another despite years of political gridlock and a deep economic crisis.

He said he met volunteers and church groups who care for the country’s most vulnerable, welcoming refugees, visiting inmates, and delivering food to families struggling with rising poverty.

The pope said he was especially moved by his meeting with relatives of the victims of the port blast, who have spent more than four years demanding accountability for one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in modern history.

“The Lebanese people were awaiting a word and a presence of consolation,” Pope Leo XIV said. “But in the end, it was they who consoled me with their faith and their enthusiasm.”

He added that the visit reinforced his belief that dialogue and reconciliation remain within reach in a region long shaped by conflict, and he urged the international community to continue supporting Lebanon as it works to recover and rebuild.