Pope Francis promises to visit Lebanon
On the first anniversary of the Beirut port explosion, Pope Francis said that he had a "great" desire to visit Lebanon.
In his first public speech since undergoing intestinal surgery about a month ago, the 84-year-old Pope appeared in good condition and improvised parts of his speech, and expressed his wishes for the success of French President Emmanuel Macron's efforts to collect more than $350 million in aid for Lebanon at the virtual donors' conference. He also issued a new warning to the bickering politicians in Lebanon.
The huge chemical explosion in the port of Beirut killed 200 people and damaged billions of dollars.
"My thoughts go to that dear country, especially to the victims and their families, to the many wounded and to those who lost their homes and their jobs," the Pope said. Many have also lost the will to live.”
The Pope appealed to the international community to help Lebanon "to embark on a march of resurrection...not only with words, but through concrete actions" that would help the "strained" Lebanese people.
He said: "Dear Lebanese, my desire to come to visit you is great, and I do not get tired of praying for you so that Lebanon will return once again to be a message of brotherhood and a message of peace for the entire Middle East."
The Vatican's secretary for relations with countries, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, said last month that the visit could take place late this year or early next year. He indicated that the Pope may go to Lebanon even if a new government is not agreed upon.
