Pope receives new head of Maronite Catholic Church

(April 14, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday received the new Head of the Maronite Catholic Church, Patriarch Pierre Bechara Rai of Antioch on his first visit and expressed his hope for peace and harmony in Lebanon. The Synod of Lebanon’s Maronite Church on March 15th elected Patriarch Bechara Rai as their head, whom Pope Benedict acknowledged on March 25th. The Pope told Patriarch Rai that Lebanon and the Middle East is the region of the world, where prophets and apostles and Christ Himself, have blessed with their presence. The Pope hoped their teaching would bring about enduring peace and stability to the region.
“Being in the heart of the Middle East, you have a huge task to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel,” the Pope told the Patriarch and his delegation. He urged them to give youth a sound spiritual education and transmit the fundamental values to all without discrimination and build greater solidarity and fraternity among all the components of the nation. The Pope also urged them to intensify the training of priests and the young people, whom the Lord calls to work in his service. In conclusion the Pope assured Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai of his prayers and support in his service to the Church and to his country.