Hezbollah Tells Pope Leo: Lebanon Connects Christianity and Islam

Hezbollah, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, issued a letter warmly welcoming Pope Leo XIV’s arrival to Lebanon, showing sincere appreciation for the visit and highlighting the country’s rare significance as a religious bridge on Saturday.

Hezbollah emphasized in its statement the need of cohabitation and national consensus for Lebanon’s political stability and security. The movement supports peaceful communal harmony in a society with religious and cultural diversity.

“Lebanon, in its diverse makeup, serves as a civilizational bridge between the followers of the two divine messages: Christianity and Islam,” the statement read.

Hezbollah also praised the Pope’s ongoing advocacy for human rights. “In your guidance and messages, we see a clear commitment to human rights and the necessity of respecting and protecting them,” it further said.

Addressing global conflict, the group pointed to a deeper root cause, highlighting “the unwillingness of some to acknowledge or respect the rights of others” as a fundamental source of today’s unrest around the world.

Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon is timely given the country’s ongoing political and economic issues, as well as escalating regional tensions. He is set to arrive in Lebanon on Sunday from Turkey, marking his first journey overseas since becoming Pope.