Pope meets Lebanese PM in Vatican

(February 22, 2010) The situation in Lebanon and the plight of Christians in the Middle East were among the issues that featured in the talks between Pope Benedict XVI and Prime Minister Saad Hariri of Lebanon on Saturday in the Vatican. A Vatican statement said the two leaders stressed the importance of Lebanon, which for decades has been a model of peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims. It said that during the talks, “attention turned to the situation in Lebanon with the hope being expressed that the country, through the exemplary coexistence of the various religious communities of which it is composed, may continue to be a "message" for the region of the Middle East and for the whole world.” “Having then highlighted the need to find a just and global solution to the conflicts affecting that region, reference was made to the importance of inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue for the promotion of peace and justice.” In this regard mention was made of the forthcoming Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East that Pope Benedict has convoked in October this year. The Pope and the Lebanese Prime Minister acknowledged the contribution of the Catholic Church for the benefit of all society, especially through her educational, healthcare and aid institutions.