“In 2022, more than 80 percent of the population lived below the poverty line; the Lebanese pound lost 95 percent of its value in three years; GDP declined by 6.7 percent in 2019, 20.3 percent in 2020, and 9.5 percent in 2021.”
“"But the pope clearly sees that the confrontation between Sunnis and Shiites, including at the political level through Iran and Saudi Arabia, is at the root of armed conflicts, as in Yemen and Lebanon," this observer said.”
“Father Mansour Labaky, a well-known Maronite priest from Lebanon who advocated peace for his war-torn country and set up homes abroad for its orphans, has been dismissed from the clerical state because of longstanding charges of sexual abuse.”
“non-violence is far from being naïve. As Mahatma Gandhi theorized and implemented it in the early 1920s, it conceals a spiritual force and a power of action. That's what Ogarit Younan believes, co-founder of Academic University College for Non-Violence & Human Rights -- in Beirut, Lebanon”
“Pope Francis' June trip to Lebanon has been postponed over health reasons, according to Lebanon's tourism minister Walid Nassar. The minister did not elaborate on the "health reasons" but it is obvious as the pope, who has suffered acute pain in his knee, is using a wheelchair.”
“Vatican officially announces April 2-3 papal visit to Malta and the pope's "foreign minister" disclosed that Francis intends to go to Lebanon sometime after mid-May elections”
“He was cruelly killed on March 14, 1985, but his memory continues to be alive and a blessing to the people of the Northern Beqaa Valley, where he carried out his pastoral service and committed himself to social and economic improvement, giving all his strength for 10 yrs. ”
“But the heavily spiritual emphasis of the pope's initiative confused some of the foreign ambassadors, invited to attend the closing prayer in St. Peter's at the end of the day. "Lord, help me!" Francis exclaimed, noting that this is a plea that has become the desperate cry of an entire people.”
“The decision to host a "day of reflection and prayer for Lebanon" at the Vatican shows the pope's determination to help the country overcome its historic crisis”
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