Pope Francis greeted at the house of Saint Martha in the Vatican the Lebanese delegation attending the “Day of Meditation and Prayer for Lebanon,” which His Holiness had called for in a speech on May 30.

In a statement, the Pope said he “would meet at the Vatican on July 1 with the leaders of Christian groups in Lebanon, for a day of reflection on the alarming situation in the country, to pray together for the gift of peace and stability.”

“The Holy Pontiff (…) prays for a more peaceful future for this beloved country,” the statement said.

Attendees walked from the house of Saint Martha to Saint Peter’s Basilica, where they paused for prayer.

This “Day of Meditation and Prayer for Lebanon” includes three closed sessions at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican.

“His Holiness Pope Francis, in a speech he addressed after the Angelus prayer last Tuesday, (…) called upon everyone to unite spiritually and pray for Lebanon to rise from the dangerous crisis it is facing, and show to the world its true image of peace and hope,” the statement read.