Vatican City, May 11, 2008 / 10:25 am
Shortly after celebrating the Mass of Pentecost in the St. Peter’s Basilica today, the Holy Father reappeared in the window of his study to greet pilgrims on Pentecost Sunday. During his Regina Coeli address, the Pope spoke about Pentecost, and made an appeal for Lebanon, the only country in the Middle East whose constitution calls for a Christian president.
"I have followed with deep concern, in recent days, the situation in Lebanon, where, after the stalling of the elections, violence and armed clashes have left numerous dead and wounded.
“Although, in the last hours, the tension is relaxed,the Pope said in reference to Hezbollah’s withdraw from Beirut, "I think today we must urge the Lebanese to abandon all forms of aggressive opposition, which would lead their beloved country to irreparable damage.”
“Dialogue, mutual understanding and the search for reasonable compromises are the only way to restore Lebanon’s institutions and give to the people, the security for a life of dignity and full of hope in tomorrow,” the Holy Father insisted.
Benedict XVI invoked the intercession of Our Lady of Lebanon to bring the Lebanese to "respond courageously" to the call to dialogue. If they do respond, "it will be, for the Middle East and the whole world, a sign of the real possibility of peaceful and constructive coexistence among men," he said.
The different communities that comprise it are "rich, original and full of diversity.” “But to live Lebanon is a common task of all its inhabitants." With Mary, the Virgin in prayer at Pentecost, we ask the All Powerful God for an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of unity and harmony, to inspire in all thoughts of peace and reconciliation," Pope Benedict prayed.
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