Pope Benedict XVI received this Thursday the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rahi, who thanked him at the beginning of the meeting for his "unyielding support for Lebanon", and for his last Sunday's sermon in which he saluted the Lebanese people and called for prayers for the stability of the country, "so that it can continue to play its role as a message of respect and coexistence for the whole region and for the entire world."

Rahi then tackled the contents of the detailed report he presented to the Pope about his visit to Saudi Arabia, his talks with King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

According to a statement issued by Bkirki patriarchate's press office, the report dwelled on "the importance of Lebanon's role in terms of coexistence between Christians and Muslims, as a stabilizing factor for the region, and a center FOR dialogue between religions and civilizations," and highlighted the necessity "of dissociating it from regional and international conflicts."

"Discussions also touched on the resignation of Prime Minister Hariri and its announcement from Riyadh, and the link between his return to Lebanon and the restoration of political life's normal course," the statement read.

The report also dealt with issues related to the situation in Lebanon and the region and the numbers of displaced persons and refugees "which are a major burden on Lebanon", as well as the importance of ending the wards wars and allowing their return to their lands and countries in order to preserve their civil rights, culture and civilization.

For his part, the Pope expressed his love for Lebanon and its people

Source: NNA