John: Good evening, I'm John Yang.

On his first international trip as pontiff, the pope is carrying a message of unity and peace to the Middle East.

Today he arrived in Lebanon where he challenged political leaders to be true peacemakers and set aside differences.

It is a precarious time in Lebanon.

In addition to the deep domestic political divisions, Israel regularly strikes in south Lebanon, straining a fragile truce with Lebanese militias.

Our special correspondent travel to Lebanon and has this report.

Reporter: Tucked away in the mountains of northern Lebanon stands this country's holiest pilgrimage site.

Millions come to the monastery each year to visit the tomb of the monk and priest, pray for miracles.

Thousands of healings have been attributed to the saints.

One goal has remained elusive, peace.

The pope hopes this can still the country in the light -- right course.

>> I have great hope that this will be a big impact.

Because we are exhausted.

Reporter: A cease-fire signed a year ago was supposed to end of war between Israel and Hezbollah but is bombardment never stopped.

E believes the solution is to disarm Hezbollah.

>> What is required in the first placethere a state.

That there is international pressure to do this.

It is in our interest as Lebanese.

There is no economy, no money, nothing.

No country Arab or western will give us any support of these weapons are made.

Reporter: The clock is ticking.

American and Israeli pressure to dismantle the paramilitary group before the end of the year has deepened rifts between constituents and Christians.

During the Lebanese civil war, some Christian factions were allies of Israel, which remains a sensitive topic.

He hopes the pope can ease tensions.

E agree with one another.

Despite the beveling of some people.

And some outsiders.

Hey are trying to divide us.

UT it has not caused a big crisis between us.

Eople continue to reconcile.

Reporter: Lebanon has 18 officially recognized religious groups.

12 of which are Christian.

The Christian population elsewhere in the Middle East has steadily declined.

Christian still account for roughly one third of Lebanon's 5 million people, the largest percentage of the region.

The pope's visit has drawn visitors from near and far.

She came with her grandchildren from St.

Louis, Missouri.

>> I was born in Lebanon.

I met my husband in Lebanon.

He and I came to the U.S.

Six years ago.

Reporter: Decades later, war and economic hardship has pushed many Lebanese to leave.

>> Lebanon is losing the private use of that are educated.

They go everywhere and establish themselves and excel in whatever field they choose.

They live so well and yet they are deprived to live in their own country.

Reporter: A country reeling from conflict once more.

In the Christian heartland in the north.

We are headed to the border with Israel to meet a Christian commune there.

This is part of the country that has been heavily affected by the war.

The pope will not be visiting.

90 miles further south, we arrived in the ruins.

Amid Christians and muslims.

At the heart of the historic center, I met a priest.

He told me this is what is left of the catholic church.

It has weathered Lebanon's many wars.

>> In the 2006 war, there was damage.

As you see.

Eporter: This church was renovated in 1923.

>> The church was very beautiful.

Reporter: This latest war began when Hezbollah fired a rocket in a symbolic show support to hamas .

Israel responded with a promising -- punishing bombardment.

Many villages were hit.

The fighting raged on.

> When the war ended, the Israelis destroyed the wall.

Reporter: How has this conflict affected the Christian community here?

>> The Christians in this village have been greatly affected.

They have been displaced from their homes.

Reporter: In total, 560 houses were destroyed.

Many before the idf was run from the village.

This used to be one of the most beautiful villages in the south.

Dating back hundreds of years.

The 65 Christian families who lived here, now only 16 remain.

He belongs to one of the 16 families.

His home was damaged.

He still has a job with the municipality which has given them the means to renovate.

His neighbors are not so lucky.

>> Some people are afraid that as they renovate their homes.

They will be hit again.

Others do not have the money.

Reporter: Israel has violated the cease-fire around 10,000 times, according to the united nations peacekeeping mission peer while only a couple of dozen violations have been reported on the Lebanese side.

The ongoing strikes are likely a reason the pope is staying away.

>> He should have come here.

The church was destroyed.

He should have come to see how we are doing.

The people of the south and especially the Christians really needed him.

Reporter: The community sent part of the demolished church to were to be blessed by the pope.

He believes the symbolic gesture will change their lives.