This morning, in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father, Pope Francis received in audience the members of the Maronite Foundation and Lebanese Authorities, accompanied by His Beatitude, Cardinal Béchara Boutros Raï, Patriarch of Antioch for Maronites, at the conclusion of the Patriarchal Church of Antioch for Maronites' Visit ad Limina Apostolorum.
Good morning!
I thank you for your visit. What the Patriarch (Cardinal Raï) has said is very interesting, that your ad Limina visit is accompanied by some of the faithful. This is a good idea, it can be formalized so that they can talk about their bishops! You can go on! In this way, everyone knows the things that are most concrete in the community.
This also reminds me of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, because they told me: There will be about forty people to greet, but I have witnessed the multiplication of the Lebanese! But thank you for coming in such great numbers! Thank you.
I want to say thank you to the Lebanese community for all that you are doing in Lebanon. For two things: maintaining your equilibrium - a creative equilibrium that is as strong as cedars - between Christians and Muslims, Sunnis and Shiites; a balance among fellow patriots, among brothers. First of all, I want to thank you for this. And I also want to thank you for something else: your generosity, your welcoming heart toward refugees: there were more than a million of them. Thank you, thank you very much!
And now, I will ask the Lord to bless all of you. May the Lord bless you, your families, your country, your children and your refugees. Bless you all. Amen.
(Original text in Italian)
Unscripted greetings offered by His Holiness, Pope Francis
to members of the Maronite Foundation and Lebanese Authorities
Good morning!
I thank you for your visit. What the Patriarch (Cardinal Raï) has said is very interesting, that your ad Limina visit is accompanied by some of the faithful. This is a good idea, it can be formalized so that they can talk about their bishops! You can go on! In this way, everyone knows the things that are most concrete in the community.
This also reminds me of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, because they told me: There will be about forty people to greet, but I have witnessed the multiplication of the Lebanese! But thank you for coming in such great numbers! Thank you.
I want to say thank you to the Lebanese community for all that you are doing in Lebanon. For two things: maintaining your equilibrium - a creative equilibrium that is as strong as cedars - between Christians and Muslims, Sunnis and Shiites; a balance among fellow patriots, among brothers. First of all, I want to thank you for this. And I also want to thank you for something else: your generosity, your welcoming heart toward refugees: there were more than a million of them. Thank you, thank you very much!
And now, I will ask the Lord to bless all of you. May the Lord bless you, your families, your country, your children and your refugees. Bless you all. Amen.
(Original text in Italian)
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