Faced with the “horror of what war produces in the lives of so many innocent people”, “we cannot remain indifferent”, Pope Leo of a pastoral worker who takes care of migrants fleeing war; of the director of a Catholic school in a predominantly Muslim city and of a prison chaplain.
«Their courage speaks to us of the light of God that shines even in the darkest moments; on the other hand, however, what they have experienced requires us to commit ourselves, so that no one has to flee their country anymore due to absurd and ruthless conflicts, and so that those who knock on the door of our communities never feel rejected, but welcomed with the words “Welcome home!”.
«Despite the rubble of a world that has its painful failures», it is necessary to offer young people «concrete and practicable prospects for rebirth and
growth for the future.” This was underlined by Pope Leo of a pastoral worker who takes care of migrants fleeing war; of the director of a Catholic school in a Muslim-majority city and of a prison chaplain.
«I think of the responsibility that we all have, in this sense, towards young people. It is important to encourage their presence, even in ecclesial structures, appreciating their contribution to innovation and giving them space”, added Leone.
«In charity each of us has something to give and receive and our giving to each other enriches us all and brings us closer to God». Pope Leo XIV thus addresses the bishops, priests, consecrated men and women and pastoral workers in the meeting at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lebanon. «Only in this way can we not be crushed by injustice and abuse of power, even when, we have heard, we are betrayed by people and organizations who speculate without scruples on the desperation of those who have no alternatives. Only in this way can we return to hope for tomorrow, despite the harshness of a difficult present to face”, underlined the Pontiff who listened to the testimonies of a priest from a village on the border with Syria, where Muslims, Christians and refugees from across the border live together, under the threat of bombing; of a Filipino pastoral worker who takes care of migrants fleeing war; of the director of a Catholic school in a Muslim-majority city and of a prison chaplain.
The Church in Lebanon “has always paid great attention to education. I encourage all of you to continue in this praiseworthy work, especially reaching out to those who are in need and have no means, to those who find themselves in extreme situations, with choices based on the most generous charity, so that the education of the heart is always combined with the education of the mind.”
“Our prayer, an invisible bridge that unites hearts, gives us the strength to continue to hope and work, even when the noise of weapons thunders around us and the very demands of daily life become a challenge.” Recalling one of the symbols contained in the “logo” of this journey, the anchor, the Pontiff cited his predecessor Francis who often evoked it in his speeches as “a sign of faith, which allows one to always go further, even in the darkest moments, up to heaven”. “If we want to build peace, let us anchor ourselves in Heaven and, firmly directed there, love without fear of losing what passes and give without measure”, underlined Leone.
Patriarch of Cilicia: Lebanon shaken but remains guardian of peace
«In recent years, the Lebanese people have faced trials that have profoundly shaken their body and soul. Yet we are still here. Despite the pain and tiredness, we continue to move forward as guardians of hope and witnesses of peace.” Thus in his greeting address to Pope Leo, the Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenian Catholics, Raphael Bedros XXI in the meeting in Harissa at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lebanon with the Catholic community. “Together with our brothers and sisters who share with us the thirst for peace and justice, we want to testify that coexistence is possible and that love is stronger than any division”, underlined the Patriarch. “Prayer turns into living action: we reach out to the poor, we accompany disoriented young people, we dry the tears of those who have lost everything”, he added. «From this ardent faith flows the strength of the Christian East: a strength that nourishes, that protects the life and dignity of every person, in a country that is home to eighteen religious confessions – a concrete symbol of how faith can become a bridge over the wounds of the world».
Private meeting with Eastern and Orthodox Patriarchs
After meeting with the Catholic community at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, Pope Leo met privately with the Patriarchs.
Together with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, the Pontiff received the Council of Eastern Catholic Patriarchs at the Apostolic Nunciature and, subsequently, had lunch together with them and with the local Orthodox Patriarchs, together with Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.
In the afternoon, at 3.30pm local time (2.30pm in Italy) Leone will go to the Martyrs’ Square (Sahet al Shouhada) in Beirut, symbol of the Lebanese resistance for the ecumenical and interreligious meeting. Subsequently, he will move to the Patriarchate of Antioch of the Maronites in Bkerkè for the meeting with the young people in the square in front, scheduled for 5.45pm (4.45pm in Italy).
A private meeting with the heads of the Muslim and Druze religious communities is scheduled for this evening in the Nunciature.