As-salamu alaykum - Maronite leader says pope’s visit could bring a message of peace to Lebanon
As-salamu alaykum. Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai told reporters that the US-born pope is expected to bring a message of peace and hope to Lebanon on his upcoming trip, insha'Allah. The Vatican announced the six-day journey to Turkiye and Lebanon starting late November, the pope’s first trip since taking office.
Rai, who leads Lebanon’s largest Christian community, welcomed the timing of the visit while a fragile ceasefire holds in the region. He noted that the war in Gaza has stopped and Lebanon is under a ceasefire, even though there have been violations and occasional strikes.
After more than a year of fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah, a truce was agreed last November. Despite that deal, Israel has continued near-daily strikes saying it targets Hezbollah. A few days ago, a ceasefire also came into effect in Gaza after a long and brutal conflict.
Rai said he believes the pope will focus on peace and encourage Lebanon to keep moving toward stability. He stressed that the visit can remind all Lebanese - Muslims and Christians alike - of their duty to protect the country. ‘‘Lebanon’s value is that each group keeps its role and identity. Coexistence means Christians keep their identity and Muslims keep theirs. The pope isn’t asking anyone to give up who they are, but to live their identity,’’ Rai said.
He added that the Vatican sees Lebanon as a place of cultural and religious pluralism. The visit follows many crises that have battered Lebanon - the economic collapse since 2019, the terrible port explosion, and the recent war - and Rai said the trip brings relief and hope for Christians in Lebanon and for Christian communities across the region.
May Allah grant peace to Lebanon and the wider region, and may this visit help heal some wounds, insha'Allah.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/