(MENAFN) Pope Leo XIV said Tuesday that Islamophobia in Europe is often driven by individuals or groups seeking to exclude people of different faiths or ethnic backgrounds. He highlighted that the coexistence of Christians and Muslims in Lebanon provides valuable lessons for Europe and North America, emphasizing the need to pursue genuine dialogue and mutual respect.

The pontiff was returning to Rome aboard a special ITA Airways flight following his first official foreign trip, which included visits to Türkiye and Lebanon. Speaking with journalists aboard the plane, he offered reflections on his visit and broader regional and international developments.

When asked whether he plans to use his connections with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to help stop Israeli attacks on Lebanon, and whether lasting peace in the region is achievable, the pope said: “First of all, yes, I believe that sustainable peace is possible. I have begun speaking to some of the leaders you mentioned, even in a very limited way, and I intend to continue doing so personally or through the Vatican.”

He added that he also met with Lebanese political authorities involved in internal and international conflicts: “Our work is essentially not something we announce publicly. It is more an activity we conduct behind the scenes. In fact, we were already doing this, and we will continue trying to persuade the parties to abandon weapons and violence, to sit at the table of dialogue, and to seek solutions that do not involve violence and could be more effective and better for the people.”

Regarding whether the Lebanese group Hezbollah received his message connected to the visit, the pope replied: “Yes, I saw that. It is clear that the Church proposes the abandonment of arms and the search for dialogue. But beyond that, I prefer not to comment in this context.”

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