Al-Rahi Meets Pope at Vatican, to Head Mass on St. Maroun Occasion on Monday
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi held a meeting on Friday with Pope Francis at the Vatican, the state-run National News Agency reported.
Al-Rahi is expected to head a mass at 7:00 pm on Monday at the Maronite College in Rome on the occasion of Saint Maroun.
The Patriarch traveled on Tuesday to the Vatican on a three-week visit to take part in the meeting of the College of the Cardinals.
Al-Rahi briefed the pope on the security situation in Lebanon and the conditions of the Christians.
For his part, the pope expressed to al-Rahi his solidarity with Christians in the Middle East, stressing the need for their presence in the region.
Al-Rahi will reportedly meet with the Director of the Department of the Middle East and North Africa at the French Foreign Ministry, Jean-François Girault,at the Vatican.
Talks are expected to focus on the presidential deadlock in Lebanon.
The French diplomat concluded on Thursday a two-day visit to Lebanon as his country is seeking to press officials to end the presidential stalemate and ease the tension.
Lebanon has been without a president since May when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of his successor.
Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps have thwarted the elections.
Girault recently held talks in Riyadh, Tehran, Washington and the Vatican over the presidential crisis in Lebanon. He also met with al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri in Saudi Arabia.
H.K.
M.T.
almost 10 years
God bless the Batrak and our Holiness Pope Francis! Peace in the Middle East!
almost 10 years
The pope just said to the patriarch, "but isn't racism, as in Article 24 of your constitution, wrong?"
almost 10 years
Article 24 robs the shia majority of their right to rule by usurping the presidency and half the parliamentary seats and giving them to christians.
almost 10 years
2 great men of Christendom! Hamdillah there are still wise men like this today who understand the true meaning of religion and coexistence with others.
almost 10 years
Dear Batrak,
you very well know who is the traitor destroying the Christians...I beg you to tell him how evil he is.
which mar maroun church are you talking about ya marounalshishani? Please enlighten us with your wikipedia knowledge while trying to keep up your deception!