His Eminence Archbishop Gallagher to visit Beirut and bring Pope's closeness to Lebanon
His Eminence Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher
His Eminence Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher's visit to Beirut will take place from January 31 to February 4, and includes meetings with political and religious authorities to mark 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Lebanon, the nation faces a deep social, political and economic crisis.
By Michele Raviart
His Eminence Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher is expected to visit Beirut from January 31 to February 4, to mark a number of celebrations and anniversaries relating to relations between Lebanon and the Holy See.
The Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States will convey His Holiness Pope Francis’ concern and closeness to the Middle Eastern nation as it faces a grave social, economic and political crisis.
A year of anniversaries
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Lebanon, and the 25th anniversary of the Apostolic Journey of His Holiness Pope St. John Paul II to the country.
That visit took place on the occasion of the signing of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “A New Hope for Lebanon”, on 10 May 1997, following the Special Synod of Bishops for Lebanon which was held in Rome 1995.
Also occurring this year is the 10th anniversary of the Apostolic Journey of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, who signed the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, “Ecclesia in the Middle East” in Beirut, after the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East in 2010.
The visit's programme
During his stay, Archbishop Gallagher will meet the State Authorities, the Catholic and Orthodox Patriarchs and Bishops, as well as Muslim and Druze religious leaders and cultural and political personalities.
He will also visit some significant places and communities and participate in the opening of the Symposium on “John Paul II and Lebanon,” organized by the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik.
His Holiness Pope Francis’ closeness to Lebanon
The English Archbishop will bring the Pope’s affection and closeness to all the Lebanese people. Lebanon is constantly present in Pope Francis’ thoughts.
In his recent annual address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, on 10 January, the Pope renewed his prayer for “the beloved Lebanese people, who are working to find a solution to the economic and political crisis that has gripped the nation”, expressing hope that “necessary reforms and the support of the international community will help the country to persevere in its proper identity as a model of peaceful coexistence and brotherhood among the different religions.”
Receiving in audience Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in the Vatican, on 25 November 2020, the Pope said that "Lebanon is a country, a message, and also a promise to fight for" and added this prayer: "Lord God, take Lebanon by the hand and say, ‘Arise!'”…
This report was originally published on Vatican News website. Please click here to read the full text.