Pope Leo XIV got a rockstar welcome from thousands of Lebanese youth on Monday, bringing them a message of hope on the second day of his visit to the crisis-hit country.

Locals have joyfully welcomed the American pontiff, turning out in their thousands to his public appearances and lining streets where his motorcade has passed, waving Vatican flags, ululating and throwing rice in celebration despite intermittent rain.

But at Monday evening's youth event in Bkerke, north of Beirut, the jubilation hit a fever pitch as the pope was met with cheers, whistling and thunderous applause as attendees jostled to shoot photos and videos with their mobile phones.

Leo urged the crowd -- said by organisers to number around 15,000 -- to "build a better world than the one you inherited", after hearing testimonies from several young people who spoke of the grave difficulties they and their country are facing.

"You have the enthusiasm to change the course of history," the pontiff said.

"Young people of Lebanon, grow strong like the cedars and make the world blossom with hope!" he........

© Al Monitor