Pope meets Lebanese president, talks focus on Syrian conflict

May 03, 2013

Pope Francis met on May 3 with President Michel Sleiman of Lebanon, for talks that centered on the violence in Syria, the impact of that conflict on Lebanon, and the plight of Christians in the Middle East generally.

“The enormous number of Syrian refugees who have sought safety in Lebanon and neighboring countries arouses much worry,” the Vatican noted in a statement released after the meeting. The statement called for greater relief efforts to help the refugees, along with new initiatives to encourage negotiations to end the fighting in Syria and to advance the peace process between Israel and Palestine.

 

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Further information:

• Pope Receives President of Lebanon (VIS)