Beirut -- Officials in Beirut say the pontiff's visit was 'defense' for the country in time of security tensions; Netanyahu and Katz met with Trump delegation - the goal: to increase pressure on the Lebanese government to disarm Iranian proxy

On Beirut’s coastline under the open sky, Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday morning celebrated a massive mass attended by some 160,000 people part of his first foreign visit since his May appointment. 

The gathering took place amid widespread concern that fighting between Israel and Hezbollah could flare up again at the end of the papal visit later in the day.

Delivering a message of peace, the Pope urged an end to attacks on Lebanon. “May the attacks and acts of hostility cease. We must recognize that armed struggle brings no benefit. 

While weapons are lethal, negotiation, mediation and dialogue build,” he said. 

“From economic hardship to violence and conflict many problems have marred Lebanon’s beauty. We must not despair or submit to spreading evil, but rather unite our efforts to restore this land’s glory.”

Lebanon now faces dramatic decisions about its future, most notably the pledge by President Michel Aoun to gather all weapons in the hands of state institutions — a move aimed at disarming Hezbollah. 

The Shiite organization has strongly opposed the plan, vowing to thwart any such step. 

That standoff could spark a confrontation either between Hezbollah and the Lebanese army; or, if the plan fails, between Hezbollah and Israel.

Against the backdrop of fears over a breakdown of the ceasefire with Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz met Tuesday with U.S. Middle East envoy deputy Morgan Ortagus at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem. 

The meeting comes as Washington increases pressure on the Lebanese government to order the army to disarm Hezbollah — so far without success. Ortagus is expected to travel to Beirut later this week.