Pope urges unity for peace in Lebanon visit

BEIRUT:

Pope Leo urged leaders from Lebanon's many diverse religious sects on Monday to unite to heal the country after years of conflict, political paralysis and economic crisis that have prompted waves of migration abroad.

Leo, the first US pope, met members of Christian, Sunni and Shia, and Druze communities, and called on them to show that people of different traditions "can live together and build a country united by respect and dialogue".

The pope, who is on what he has described as a mission of peace, has urged Lebanon's leaders to persevere with peace efforts in the aftermath of last year's devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah, and continued Israeli strikes.

Lebanese authorities have proclaimed Monday and Tuesday official holidays. Reuters