The pope, who left a rainy Rome late morning, arrived to sunny skies and pleasant temperatures.

A crowd of dignitaries and around 100 cheering supporters looked on, one holding up a banner that said "Joy to Lebanon. The pope has arrived."

The 85-year-old pontiff carefully descended the steps from his Alitalia flight and was greeted by President Michel Sleiman, the Middle East's only Christian head of state, to a 21-gun salute and as church bells rang out around the country.