Pope Francis of the Vatican hosts Lebanon's Christian leaders on July 1st
Pope Francis announced today, Sunday, that he will invite Christian leaders of Lebanon to the Vatican on July 1st to pray for "peace and stability" in their country.
Lebanon is witnessing a double economic and political crisis. The economic crisis is the worst since the civil war (1975-1990), as more than half of the population is below the poverty line.
Meanwhile, political leaders - involved in debates - have yet to agree on a new government to replace the caretaker government headed by Hassan Diab, who resigned in the wake of the bloody Beirut port bombing last year.
The Pope said: "On the first of July, I will meet in the Vatican with Christian leaders in Lebanon, to spend a day meditating on the troubling situation of the country, and praying together for the gift of peace and stability."
During Sunday prayers, the Pope urged the faithful to "perform solidarity prayers accompanying the preparation for this occasion, to push for a more peaceful future for this beloved country."
