Pope's visit to Lebanon encourages peace

On Saturday, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi considered the Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Lebanon from 14 to 16 September, as a sign of courage and hope. Lombardi clarified in his article published in the weekly Octava Dies,that by choosing Lebanon, it is symbolic as it had a large number of Catholics before the Syrian refugee crisis turned into bloodshed. Lombardi stated:  “The Arab Spring and the situation in Syria makes the commitment of the Church to stand beside the Christian groups in the region more urgent, and this matter doesn't lead to reconsideration but places it in a problematic frame in which the Synod for the Middle East stated two years ago have become more critical.” Lombardi also discussed cases of coexistence between ethnic and religious groups, the dialogue with Islam and Judaism, Christian immigrants and religious freedom and democracy. He confirmed that the exhortation is a basic systematic document for the Catholic Church in the Middle East, and its message and role is to strength dialogue and peace. Lombardi also wrote: “Catholics and Christians -although they are a minority in the region, should introduce peace and spread the dialogue, not only for the habitants and the different religious groups but also for the International society.” Lombardi hopes that the Pope’s visit will be symbolic and that is his message will be heard.