VATICAN CITY

Pope Francis expressed deep sorrow Monday over the ongoing loss of innocent lives in the Middle East, highlighting the impact on Lebanon.

During a meeting at the Vatican with the families of victims from the Aug. 4, 2020 Beirut port explosion, the pontiff shared his emotional connection with them.

He stressed that being with the families who lost loved ones in the incident four years ago is deeply moving for him.

He said that he continues to hold them and their departed loved ones in his prayers while also remembering all those who perished in the tragic event.

The Pope also underscored the shared desire for truth and justice, both for himself and the bereaved families of the explosion victims.

Reflecting on the explosion and the ongoing conflicts in the region, he expressed his anguish over the continuous loss of innocent lives due to the war in the area, including in Palestine and Israel, with Lebanon bearing the consequences.

He emphasized that war inevitably leaves the world in a worse state.

He also conveyed his hopes for peace in Lebanon and the wider Middle East, emphasizing that Lebanon should remain a project of peace, aspiring to be a country where diverse communities live in harmony, where the common good takes precedence over individual interests, and where different religions and sects unite in a spirit of fraternity.

Beirut was rocked by a massive explosion on Aug. 4, 2020 that killed more than 200 people and injured 6,500 others. Around 50,000 housing units suffered damage, with property damage estimated to cost $15 billion. It is regarded as the largest non-nuclear explosion ever recorded.

Lebanon's highest court decided in January to release all suspects arrested as part of the investigation into the explosion. Ghassan Oweidat, Lebanon's top prosecutor, went on to file charges against the judge leading the investigation into the massive blast.

The actions were taken two days after Judge Tarek Bitar resumed his inquiry into the deadly blast following a 13-month suspension prompted by political resistance to his attempts to question top officials.

*Writing by Merve Berker