BEIRUT >> Pope Leo urged political leaders in Lebanon on Sunday to make peace their highest priority in a forceful appeal in a country that remains a target of Israeli airstrikes on the second leg of his first overseas trip as Catholic leader.

Leo, the first U.S. pope, arrived in Beirut from a four-day visit to Turkey where he warned that humanity’s future was at risk because of the world’s unusual number of bloody conflicts and condemned violence in the name of religion.

Addressing a presidential palace chamber packed with politicians and religious leaders from Lebanon’s many sects, he opened his speech by repeating Jesus’ words “blessed are the peacemakers”.

Devastating conflict

Leo said Lebanon must now persevere with peace efforts despite facing a “highly complex, conflictual and u

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