"Pope Leo XIV received a rapturous welcome at Lebanon's Baabda Presidential Palace on Sunday amid his three-day visit marked by rising regional tensions. Footage shows Lebanese folk troupes performing traditional dance routines alongside the papal motorcade, while the Pope is watching a visual display about Lebanon and his journey to it. President Joseph Aoun and the First Lady received the spiritual leader at the palace entrance, later guiding him through the palace. Addressing assembled dignitaries and religious leaders, President Aoun stated, "Your Holiness Pope Leo XIV, it is with immense pleasure that I receive you, a messenger of peace in the land of peace. With deep honour, representing all Lebanese people across communities, faiths, and backgrounds, I welcome you to this nation, small in size but great in its message." The Pope commended Lebanese resilience, noting, "You are people who do not give up, but in the face of trials, you always know how to rise again with courage. Your resilience is an essential characteristic of authentic peacemakers, for the work of peace is indeed a continuous starting anew." The Pope landed earlier at Rafic Hariri International Airport from Turkey for his first overseas tour since succeeding the late Pope Francis in May. His visit includes meetings with political, social, and religious leaders, as well as a commemorative mass at the site of the Beirut port explosion. The trip comes as Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon escalate following warnings from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of possible military action if Beirut fail to disarm Hezbollah. Israel has conducted multiple airstrikes inside Lebanon since a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect on November 27, 2024."