Pope Leo to Lebanese youth: Love, not retaliation, is the real answer to evil Pope Leo XIV told thousands of young people in Lebanon on Monday that love, not retaliation, is the real force capable of transforming their country as it continues to grapple with the wounds of conflict and social instability. \u201cThe true opposition to evil is not evil, but love,\u201d he said, calling the nation\u2019s youth to rebuild their homeland through reconciliation, service, and a renewed rooting in faith. The gathering took place in the square before the Maronite Patriarchate of Antioch, in Bkerk\u00e9, where the pope was welcomed by Patriarch Cardinal B\u00e9chara Boutros Ra\u00ef. After greeting the crowd in a brief tour, Pope Leo opened his address with the Arabic words \u201cassalamu alaykum,\u201d meaning \u201cpeace be with you,\u201d telling the young people that this greeting of the risen Christ \u201csustains the joy of our meeting.\u201d Lebanon\u2019s young generation has endured some of the nation\u2019s hardest years. A devastating financial collapse, the 2020 Beirut port explosion, and the 2023\u20132024 border war between Hezbollah and Israel have left deep physical and social scars, contributing to widespread emigration and a sense of exhaustion among the country\u2019s youth. The pope spoke directly to their anxieties, acknowledging that many feel they have inherited \u201ca world torn apart by wars and disfigured by social injustice,\u201d yet insisted that hope lives within them. \u201cYou have time to dream, to plan, and to do good. You are the present, and the future is already taking shape in your hands.\u201d Pointing to Lebanon\u2019s national symbol, he said the country \u201cwill flourish once again, beautiful and vigorous like the cedar,\u201d explaining that its strength lies in deep roots. In the same way, he told them, the foundation of renewal cannot rest only on ideas or agreements. \u201cThe true principle of new life is the hope that comes from above. It is Christ himself. He, the Living One, is the foundation of our trust.\u201d Peace, he continued, cannot grow out of factional interests. \u201cIt is only genuinely sincere when I do to others what I would like them to do to me. Forgiveness leads to justice, which is the foundation of peace.\u201d Calling them to works of charity, he reminded them that nothing reveals God\u2019s presence more clearly than love. Renewal begins in daily choices, he said, such as welcoming \u201cthose near and far\u201d and offering concrete help \u201cto friends and refugees and enemies.\u201d The pope held up several saints as companions for the journey: Carlo Acutis, Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. Rafqa, Blessed Yakub El-Haddad, and St. Charbel, whose hidden life \u201cshines a powerful light.\u201d He urged the youth to pray, to read Scripture, and attend Mass and adoration. \u201cBe contemplatives like St. Charbel,\u201d he told them. Pope Leo ended with the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, \u201cLord, make me an instrument of your peace,\u201d and assured the young people that \u201cthe Lord will always be with you, and you can be assured of the support of the whole Church.\u201d He entrusted them to the Mother of God, Our Lady. Follow all EWTN News coverage of Pope Leo\u2019s First Apostolic Trip here. This article was originally published by CNA. Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Elias Turk Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article Alcide De Gasperi: Italy\u2019s Post-War Leader Moves Closer to Beatification Patriarchates of Jerusalem: Forced evacuation of Gaza City is a \u2018death sentence\u2019 1.3 Million Pilgrims Pass Through St. Peter\u2019s Holy Door In Jubilee\u2019s First Month Pope Leo XIV Begins His Pontificate: A Vision for Peace, Unity, and a New Industrial Age Vatican announces Pope Francis\u2019 Marseille visit schedule Manifestation for Life: Defending the Greatest Right<\/p>\n