(Sept. 26, 2012) Meanwhile, Pope Benedict XVI's messages during his 14-16 September
visit to Lebanon, still resonate in the country, many people say. Despite the hardships
of wars and domestic rivalries, or the tensions caused by regional and international
confrontations, Lebanon appears to be rediscovering its traditional communitarian
vocation. According to Hicham Nachabé, president of the Muslim association “Makassed,”
the Pope’s visit has had plenty of results, especially in terms of people coming
together. He said it pushes us to work harder on learning about Christianity and
gave us a greater desire to know better the Christian religion. Caritas Lebanon president
Fr Simon Faddoul told Vatican Radio that when the Pope met youth in Bkerké, See of
the Maronite Patriarchate, "heaven was open. I personally felt so". There were Christians
and Muslims alike, and people from all over. I felt it was like at Pentecost. From
the very first moment, even when the papal plane touched down, we all felt more united,
much closer". Many shared this sensation.