Benedict XVI leaves Lebanon

Country can be beacon of religious co-existence, Pope says

Here is a Catholic News Agency story relating that, at his departure from Lebanon, Pope Benedict XVI said the religious co-existence the people of Lebanon showed during his three-day apostolic visit can become an inspiration and model for the rest of the Middle East.

"In these troubled times, the Arab world, and indeed the entire world, will have seen Christians and Muslims united in celebrating peace," said the Pope at Beirut's Rafik Hariri Airport Sept. 16. The Lebanese population is 39 per cent Christian and 60 per cent Muslim.

There had been worries in some quarters before Pope Benedict left for Lebanon on Friday that he was flying into an unpredictable political and religious situation. Neighbouring Syria is currently embroiled in a civil war, and there are increasing anti-U.S. protests across the region. Those worries proved to be unfounded.

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.