Syriac Maronite Patriarch al-Raï meets with Pope Francis, discusses Lebanon’s security, humanitarian, and political crises

VATICAN — Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mor Béchara Boutros al-Raï met with Pope Francis at the Vatican to discuss Lebanon’s pressing challenges. During the meeting, Patriarch al-Raï conveyed the gratitude of the Lebanese people for the Pope’s ongoing concern for the country’s issues.

Patriarch al-Raï presented Pope Francis with three written documents. The first addressed Lebanon’s current security situation and the social and humanitarian impact of the Israeli aggression, particularly the internal displacement and the Church’s response to these crises. The second document highlighted the recent Muslim-Christian spiritual summit held in Beth Kerke (Bkerke) and its resulting statement. The third document focused on the stalled political situation in Lebanon, particularly the delay in electing a president.

Pope Francis reiterated his closeness to the Lebanese people, emphasizing the importance of preserving Lebanon’s unique diversity, dialogue, and coexistence, as well as the role of Christians in the country.

In a separate meeting, Patriarch al-Raï met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, where they further discussed Lebanon’s issues and the potential role of Vatican diplomacy in helping to resolve them.