Syriac Maronite Patriarch al-Raï meets Lebanese dignitaries; Pope Francis sends message to King of Bahrain

BETH KERKE, Lebanon / VATICAN — Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros l-Raï received the former Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Samir Mokbel on Tuesday at the Patriarchal headquarters in Beth Kerke.

During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the current situation in Lebanon at the local, national, and international levels and discussed the economic crisis in the country, including the fluctuation of the dollar exchange rate and the inability of politicians to find solutions to this crisis.

The Patriarch then met with the coordinator of the Preparatory Committee in the Arab Resistance Movement, Sheikh Abdul Salam Al-Harash. During the meeting, the men emphasized the need to preserve the national balance in Lebanon, and to unify all resistance under a national banner, rather than along sectarian or religious lines.

In separate news, Pope Francis sent a written message to the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, which was delivered by the prefect of the Roman Curia’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.

In his message, Pope Francis thanked the King of Bahrain for the inauguration of the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Arabia, in Bahrain and expressed his gratitude for the King’s interest and efforts in strengthening relations between different religions and cultures. The Pope asked God to preserve Bahrain and bless the King’s efforts to achieve peace and love among all.

The King of Bahrain praised the important role of Pope Francis in promoting dialogue and understanding between religions and civilizations and spreading the values ​​of human brotherhood, tolerance and coexistence among all, stressing the Kingdom of Bahrain’s keenness to strengthen relations of friendship and cooperation with the Vatican.