Pope to Stay Clear of Mideast Politics on Lebanon Trip
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Pope Benedict XVI will not intervene politically in the Syrian crisis during his visit to the Middle East this week or tell Catholics where their alliances should lie, the Vatican said Tuesday.
"The pope will not present himself as a powerful political leader" or make "big speeches of a political nature" when he travels to Lebanon on Friday for a three-day trip, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said at a press conference.
While the 85-year-old pontiff is likely to call for an end to violence in Syria and express concern for Christians caught up in Arab Spring uprisings, he will not comment on political differences between Lebanon's Catholic groups.
"The pope does not have concrete, specific guidelines for Christians," Lombardi said in reference to Lebanon's large Maronite Catholic community which is divided over support for Syrian President Bashar Assad and the rebels.
Religious pluralism will be one of the main themes of the trip and Benedict will meet representatives from Lebanon's four main communities -- Shiites, Sunnis, Druzes and Alawites -- who will welcome him on his arrival on Friday.
Lombardi said there would be no specific meeting with Hizbullah, but members would take part in the Muslim delegations.
11 September 2012, 15:25
12
Well, the mid-east needs his wisdom... I'm not sure if the Angelus will suffice to calm people down.
11 September 2012, 15:32
31
You're dreaming Andre. Only Aoun -the False Christian- has the right to speak and FT, his dog, has the right to bark.
I bet you Nasrallah - the False Muslim- will also open his mouth and greet the Papa. This country is rules by crooks and Antichrists. May God grant us the power to evict them.
11 September 2012, 19:00
00
I hope Pope Benedict XVI will have a memorable visit to Lebanon. Having the pope in the Middle East at this point in time should give a clear message of peace and justice and tranquility; the pope can convey a powerful message for all the leaders in the region in an attempt to achieve lasting peace. Christianity was born from Jerusalem the land which is dire need for peaceful resolution between Israeli and Palestinians people. Let it be the end of violence now before it becomes too late. May the pontiff's prayers for peace come true.
