This morning, the Holy Father Francis received in audience the President of the Republic of Lebanon, His Excellency Mr. Michel Aoun, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions in the Secretariat of State, the importance of the good diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Lebanon, which reach their seventy-fifth anniversary this year, was highlighted. Attention then turned to the grave socio-economic problems the country is experiencing, and the situation of refugees, in the hope that the aid of the international community, the upcoming legislative elections, and the necessary reforms may contribute to strengthening peaceful co-existence between the various religious confessions that live in the Land of the Cedars.

Finally, the disastrous consequences of the explosion at the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020, were mentioned, with reference to the demand for justice and truth expressed by the families of the victims.

Offer concrete assistance to Lebanon, not just in words, but real actions that accomplish a ‘resurrection’ of the Middle Eastern nation…

This was Pope Francis’ adamant appeal for Lebanon toward the conclusion of his August 4 General Audience inside the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, marking Francis’ first since his traditional July break and July 4 colon surgery. The Holy Father continued his catechesis on Saint Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, and in particular, considering St. Paul’s insistence on complete fidelity to the Gospel.

After the Pope’s Catechesis, the Pope made a strong appeal for the nation which experienced a tragic port explosion just one year ago.

“In these days, I think especially of the beloved country of Lebanon a year after the terrible port explosion in its capital, Beirut, with its toll of death and destruction,” the Pontiff said, noting he thinks, above all, of the victims and their families, the many injured, and those who lost their homes and livelihoods.

“So many people have lost the desire to go on,” he recognized.

On July 1, the Pope held a Day of Prayer and Reflection for Lebanon, together with Christian religious leaders, where–he recalled–“all of us listened to the hopes and aspirations, the frustrations and weariness of the Lebanese people, and we prayed for God’s gift of hope to overcome this difficult crisis.”