"Pope Leo has urged political leaders in Lebanon to make peace their highest priority in a forceful appeal as he is visiting the country, which remains a target of Israeli airstrikes, on the second leg of his first overseas trip as Catholic leader. Leo, the first US pope, arrived in Beirut on Sunday from a four-day visit to Turkey where he warned that humanity's future was at risk because of the world's unusual number of bloody conflicts, and condemned violence in the name of religion."
"Addressing a presidential palace chamber packed with politicians and religious leaders from Lebanon's many sects, he opened his speech by repeating the words of Jesus: Blessed are the peacemakers. Using the word peace more than 20 times during his speech, Leo said Lebanon must now persevere with peace efforts despite facing a highly complex, conflictual and uncertain regional situation in a speech attended by the president, Joseph Aoun, the prime minister, Nawaf Salam, and other leaders."
"He also encouraged Lebanese people to stay in their country rather than emigrate, telling them there are times when it is easier to flee, or simply more convenient to move elsewhere. It takes real courage and foresight to stay or return to one's own country. He urged them to take up the path of reconciliation, and called on the country's leaders to place themselves with commitment and dedication at the service of your people."
Pope Leo visited Beirut as the second leg of his first overseas trip while Lebanon remained a target of Israeli airstrikes. He arrived from Turkey after warning that humanity's future was at risk because of the world's unusual number of bloody conflicts and condemning violence in the name of religion. He opened a speech at the presidential palace by repeating "Blessed are the peacemakers" and used the word peace more than 20 times, urging perseverance with peace efforts amid a complex, conflictual and uncertain regional situation. He encouraged Lebanese citizens to stay rather than emigrate, urged reconciliation, and called on leaders to commit to serving the people. No real reconciliation followed the 1975-1990 civil war, and the recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict has deepened divisions. President Joseph Aoun said the country and region suffer anguish and pain and described Christians and Muslims as different but equal.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]