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Pope Francis announced that he intends to visit Lebanon “as soon as possible”, in a message of support he sent on Thursday to all Lebanese of all sects on the occasion of Christmas.
And the pontiff wrote in his message: “Dear sons and daughters of Lebanon, my pain is great when I see the pain and anxiety that suffocate the spirit of courage and vitality that the country of cedars instilled.”
And he added: “Today I feel in the depths of me, the horror of their losses, especially when I think of many young people who have lost all hope of a better future.”
The Pope considered that the identity of Lebanon brings “to the whole world the aroma of respect, coexistence and pluralism”, adding that “it is the identity of a people who do not abandon their homes and their heritage.”
He again called on the international community to help Lebanon “stay away from regional conflicts and tensions”, as well as “come out of the acute crisis and recover.”
The Pope appealed to Lebanese political and spiritual leaders, borrowing a passage from one of Patriarch Elias Howayek’s pastoral letters, which was printed with his strong religious and political presence at the beginning of the last century.
The passage says: “You oppressors, you are the judges of the land, you the representatives of the people, who live on behalf of the people, are obliged, in their official capacity and in accordance with their responsibilities, to pursue the public interest. You like him. “
Source: “AFP”
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