Vatican spokesman reflects on success of papal journey to Lebanon

September 24, 2012

Pope Benedict’s apostolic journey to Lebanon was an extraordinary success, the director of the Holy See Press Office said in his weekly editorial.

“Rarely has a message from the Pope during a journey been understood and received with admiration and concord approaching unanimity as it has on this occasion,” said Father Federico Lombardi, SJ.

“The mission of the unarmed prophet, who went unhesitatingly, resolutely, to talk about peace in a region and at a time of heated conflicts and protests, was a message of strength and of uncommon power,” he continued. “While all around the region mostly continue to rely above all on power and weapons, and hatred is relentlessly promoted, the words of dialogue and mutual respect, the invitation to reconciliation, the exhortation to young people of different religious faiths to build a future of peace together echoed with clear and fascinating veracity, from the lips ‘of one who speaks with authority,’ unlike other less credible teachers.”

 

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Further information:

• Lombardi Editorial: Starting again from Lebanon (Vatican Radio)