Prime Minister Najib Mikati met this morning the Papal Ambassador, Monsignor Joseph Spitteri in the Grand Serail.

Following the meeting, Ambassador Spitteri said: “The meeting was cordial after President Mikati’s visit to the Vatican and his meeting with the Holy Father.”

He added, “We discussed the initiative that we can take together with all Islamic and Christian religious institutions to help Lebanon in the social field, in order to help the poor and to consider how to help schools and other institutions that also work to help the poor.”

In response to a question about the possibility of Pope Francis’ visit to Lebanon soon, he said: “God willing, but it will not be very close, due to practical and technical issues, but officials from the Vatican will visit Lebanon soon, and I hope that we welcome Pope Francis to Lebanon next year.”