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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: “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 broke out in the country of Cedars.”
He added: “Today I feel deep within myself, the horror of their losses, especially when I think of many young people who have been deprived of 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 made a new appeal to the international community to help Lebanon “to stay away from regional conflicts and tensions”, as well as to “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 are the representatives of the people, who live on behalf of the people. You are obliged, in your official capacity and in accordance with your responsibilities, to pursue the public interest.” You like him. “
