Pope Francis to Address Situation in Lebanon, Middle East during Catholic Patriarchs Summit
Pope Francis is expected to tackle the situation in Lebanon and the Middle East during a summit for the leaders of the Eastern churches in the Vatican, al-Joumhouria newspaper reported on Tuesday.
A source at the Vatican said in comments published in the daily, that the final statement that will be issued by the attendees will reflect the fears of Christians in the region amid the ongoing conflicts.
“The final statement will not be classical,” the source said.
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi discussed on Monday with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano the general situation in the Middle East, stressing the importance of maintaining stability and peace in the region.
Al-Rahi, who is currently in Rome to attend a summit for the leaders of the Eastern churches in communion with Pope Francis, addressed with Napolitano the crisis in neighboring country Syria and the conditions of the refugees.
The two officials also tackled the political crisis in Lebanon.
Al-Rahi, Patriarch of the Syriac Catholic church Ignatius Joseph III Younan and the head of the Armenian Catholic church, Nerses Bedros XIX, traveled to the Vatican on Sunday to attend a meeting for the leaders of the Eastern churches in communion with Pope Francis.
The topic for discussion at the November 19-22 will be the Eastern churches in the 50 years since Vatican II.
The three patriarchs will also meet with former Pope Benedict XVI.
Source: Agence France Presse
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