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The President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, stated that, “one month after the disaster that affected Lebanon as a result of the port explosion, Lebanon is responding to the call of the Pope, Pope Francis, to commemorate a day of prayer and fasting, so that we remember the souls of the martyrs who fell, the wounded who were injured and the citizens who lost their families, loved ones and stress, However, investigations continue and justice will be done to all those responsible or negligent, and this is the right of the Lebanese who were united by the disaster and united in hope. “
The words of President Aoun have reached during his reception this morning at the Baabda Palace, to the Secretary of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to whom he has transmitted a message of solidarity “from Pope Francis to the Lebanese people of all groups in this painful circumstance that he is going through after the explosion that shook the capital Beirut, in addition to Accompanying him again with prayers and initiatives for the advancement of Lebanon “, underlining that” Lebanon has a special place in the Holy See and is a matter of care and attention, given the value it represents and the model of coexistence with all its children, Christians and Muslims. “
Cardinal Pietro said: “Lebanon is never alone in the painful circumstances it is going through, as it can always count on the support of the Holy See, as well as on international solidarity with it. I am conveying to you and to the Lebanese people a message of hope from the Supreme Pontiff, who considers that Lebanon possesses some of the internal factors “. It brings him out of his pain, transforming this period of pain into a new stage of hope for him, for the region and for the world that is at his side. He noted that “Lebanon in its first centenary of existence as a state gave a model to emulate as a formula that unites Christians and Muslims and requires a great balance between differences and diversity, despite many of the crises that it has overcome, but its people always he has found in himself the sources of his strength to get out of them and move on. Today, the new hope emanating from Lebanon is a realistic matter and he does not just want to cross this stage. “
He stressed that “the role of the Holy See is to remain firm by its side, as it has always been with Lebanon, because it is a country worthy of life and survival, so it is good and good for the Middle East and the world. Today’s world needs an example and men who testify that it is possible to live together, that it is something that has become necessary. ” He insisted, especially after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and said: “You as the Lebanese people, Christians and Muslims, are giving this message to the world, because you embody it, without entering into regional and world conflicts.”
President Aoun
For his part, the President of the Republic thanked Cardinal Parolin for his presence, on behalf of the Pontiff in this important visit to Lebanon, to commemorate the day of prayer and fasting for this country that Pope Francis summoned all the believers of the world, indicating that he and the family will participate “on this day through a special prayer after Noon in the Chapel of the Republican Palace, and said:” I follow closely what Pope Francis says about Lebanon, and his special love for I would like to convey to His Holiness our filial love for him, and our great gratitude for the care he gives to Lebanon and its people in all its groups, and this is not a new matter for the Holy See. special with Lebanon and all its children. “
President Aoun asked Cardinal Parolin to convey his renewed invitation to the “Holy Father to visit Lebanon”, noting that “all Lebanese are waiting for him.”
And the cardinal welcomed this, confirming that he conveyed this wish to Pope Francis upon his return to the Vatican, noting that “the outbreak of the Crown epidemic caused the cancellation of the visits of the Supreme Pontiff scheduled for the year 2020”, expecting that “the matter does not apply to next year as well.”
President Aoun stressed that his efforts, “either through the establishment of the” Human Academy for Encounter and Dialogue “adopted by the United Nations, or the renewed call for dialogue among the various Lebanese officials, are all aimed at affirming the Lebanon’s role and mission and consolidate the foundations of convergence among all its citizens for a solid future.
Cardinal Parolin
After the meeting, Cardinal Parolin told reporters: “I am pleased to express my gratitude from the beginning to His Excellency the President of the Lebanese Republic for the meeting on the occasion of my quick visit to Lebanon. I conveyed the greetings of the Holy Father to him. , Pope Francis, who wanted my visit to express his closeness to this country and to all its children. ” Paternal among them and their full solidarity after the massive explosion that shook the city of Beirut a month ago.In the framework of this day that the Supreme Pontiff called for prayer and fasting for Lebanon, last Wednesday, His Holiness wishes to express, in a sensual and effective way, the solidarity of the entire Catholic Church towards Lebanon and towards all Her children. This is the meaning of my presence today. “
He added: “We also spoke about the general situation, and conveyed to His Excellency the Holy See the assurance that Lebanon is not alone in the midst of the difficult circumstances it is going through, and received the support of many countries that rushed to lend a hand to rebuild the part of the capital that was destroyed as a result of the explosion. ” “.
He noted that “the meeting was also an occasion to emphasize the importance that the Holy See gives to Lebanon, according to the most famous motto said by Pope Saint John Paul II,” Lebanon is more than a nation, it is a message “to live together in peaceful way between the various components of its people. It is a very different country in terms of its components. But it affirms that living together is possible and a duty, and I told President Aoun what I considered an important thing, that the reality of this Lebanon is not important for the good and well-being of Lebanon, but also for the entire Middle East region that is going through a period of crisis, difficulties and conflicts, as well as for the entire world. The challenge today is to live together despite being different from each other, and we encourage His Excellency the President and the countries of the region to move in this direction, preserving the distinctive identity of Lebanon, as we celebrate this year the centenary of Greater Lebanon, with an emphasis on Diálo go with all parties, because only through dialogue can we reach understanding and cooperation together, and provide a better future for all girls and boys in this country. “
He concluded again by thanking “His Excellency the President for this meeting, and my best wishes for this dear country.”
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