Pope Francis affirmed during his meeting with Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Vatican, his “firm belief in the message that Lebanon is performing through cultural and religious pluralism that distinguishes it and makes it unique in the region.”

The Pope also called for Lebanese officials to unite in order to get out of the crises facing Lebanon, and to elect a new president for the country.

For his part, Mikati announced, that he invited the Pope to visit Lebanon, as he represents a glimmer of hope for Muslims and Christians in the country alike, and that the meeting was special, and said: I expressed to His Holiness my conviction that the message of Lebanon is spreading today throughout the Arab world, pointing out to “the main challenge before us is to preserve and consolidate Lebanon’s message and to promote the values ​​of peace and brotherhood.”