Pope Calls for Reconciliation on Eve of Lebanon Visit 'Under Sign of Peace'
Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday called for dialogue and reconciliation in the Middle East as he prepared to visit war-torn Syria's neighbor Lebanon.
"My apostolic trip to Lebanon, and by extension to the whole of the Middle East, is taking place under the sign of peace," the pope said after delivering the Angelus blessing from his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo outside of Rome.
"The commitment to dialogue and reconciliation must be the priority for all parties involved," he said, calling for the international community to support such efforts.
"Even if it seems difficult to find solutions to the different problems, we cannot resign ourselves to violence and the exacerbation of tensions," said the 85-year-old German pontiff.
The pope is due to leave on Friday for a three-day visit to Lebanon, which has been battling to contain an eruption of violence triggered by Syria's bloodshed, including a spate of mass kidnappings.
Syria has been embroiled in deadly turmoil since March 2011, when what started out as peaceful protests against the rule of President Bashar Assad took off on the heels of the Arab Spring.
The conflict has turned increasingly deadly and today Syrian rebels and the regime army are battling each other on the streets of the country's major cities, and activists estimate that more than 26,000 people have been killed since the uprising started.
over 11 years
I wonder how much that sigh costs to put up. Meanwhile the government is unable to provide electricity , security and dignity for its citizens .
over 11 years
I could care less if he comes or doesn't. What is comical is that you worship him like he is god. Let me remind that catholicism is not christianity. They are pagan worshippers worshipping the sun. Why is Vatican filled with riches they stole from poor nations meanwhile even the people in Italy are suffering. This guy is a nazi and he shouldn't be welcomed in Lebanon.
over 11 years
Bistonie - go back to the hole you came from you moron! This man brings peace unlike you!
over 11 years
I'm a Muslim and can respect others beliefs. I think his visit aims to unite not divide. Interesting that one of the posts above is about division at a time when we need to come together. Read a book and stop trying to make Lebanon Persian.
over 11 years
If he is a symbol of peace then so is George bush, you bunch of idiots, the Muslims will go to Rome and conquer the same way we conquered Istanbul, go to he'll you and your stupid pope
over 11 years
Could be Jewish
over 11 years
...is there any moderator or controler of these posted comments here ????? what are these comments being made here ?? shame ...
over 11 years
his beatitude pope benedict xv1 is dearly welcome, bilad el arz is always honoured to host sacred people on its sacred land,i hope its a sign that sunrise is around the corner....god bless u all, and may light enters all minds even the darkest ones,just believe....god bless.
over 11 years
Religion is posion
over 11 years
Bullshit-Bistonie......you are an insult to all Muslims of the World! Go back to your hole and dont come out until you have read and understood the Holy Qur'an you moron. You dont know what peace means and never will! God help you!
the message of peace must include the preaching of the good news of Jesus Christ and the reconciliation of all enemies in the region through love and forgiveness which is demonstrated in person of Jesus. the message of "peace,peace" is not necessarily wanted, accepted or valued in the region. the pope should also repent on behalf of those "christians" that claim to follow Jesus that are far away from following Jesus and from being a light in the region. if salt loses is saltiness what good is it for? the name of Christ is blasphemed in Lebanon because of the wickedness of the maronite catholics.