Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Lebanon after travelling from Turkey for the second leg of his first overseas trip since becoming pontiff in May.
He arrives in Lebanon, where about one third of the population is Christian, as the country continues to suffer from daily Israeli attacks and the fallout from last year's war between Israel and Hezbollah.
On the first day of his highly anticipated three-day visit, Pope Leo was greeted by President Joseph Aoun at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport. A welcome ceremony also included Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al Rai.
As the Pope arrived at about 3.45pm local time, church bells could be heard throughout Beirut.
He left for a meeting with Mr Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda.
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