Holiday Ayo - Pope Leo XIV criticized anti-immigrant activists who are inciting "fear" of Islam during his sermon in Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday (December 2).

He said the harmony and cooperation between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon should be an example for Europe and the United States.

The 70-year-old pope spoke to reporters on a plane after completing a visit to Turkey and Lebanon.

The visit was his first trip outside Italy since becoming leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics in May.

Pope Leo XIV said anti-Muslim sentiment "often arises from those who oppose immigration and seek to close the door to those from a different country, religion, or race," as quoted by Al Arabiya.

He added that his visit to Lebanon aimed to demonstrate "the possibility of dialogue and friendship between Muslims and Christians."

Leo also called the stories he heard during his visit, of Christians and Muslims helping each other, "a lesson that we should not be so afraid."

The American-born pope spent twenty years in Peru as a missionary in the Augustinian order.

He frequently criticized the rise in nationalist sentiment in Europe and the United States, calling for an end to the "inhumane treatment" of migrants under the administration of US President Donald Trump.

He also urged followers to reject the "closed mindset" that he said contributed to the growth of nationalism in various countries.

Leo said the Catholic Church "must open borders between nations and erase barriers between classes and races."