Pope comforts 13 priests from south Lebanon with surprise video call

In a gesture of solidarity and spiritual support, Pope Leo XIV connected with thirteen priests serving in southern Lebanon, a region acutely affected by the ongoing conflict along the Israeli border. The surprise video call, originating from Rome, offered a moment of peace and reassurance to the clergy ministering in towns like Rmeich, Ain Ebel, Debel, and Marjayoun. These communities, while largely spared the intense bombardment seen elsewhere in southern Lebanon, live under the constant shadow of tension and uncertainty.

Father Najib al-Amil, the parish priest of Rmeich, shared the profound impact of the Pope's brief but powerful message. Speaking to The Associated Press, he conveyed that the Pope's words were "reassuring, particularly as we live in constant worry over here." The pontiff's call for peace and his assurance of prayers resonated deeply with the priests, who are on the front lines of a volatile situation. The Pope urged them to remain in their hometowns and to pray with him for the swift arrival of peace.

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The pope gave us peace and his blessings. His words were reassuring, particularly as we live in constant worry over here

This act of papal outreach comes at a particularly sensitive time. Reports emerged just days prior of the Israeli military demolishing a Catholic convent in the border village of Yaroun. While the Israeli military stated they targeted a structure used by Hezbollah and did not intentionally strike religious sites, local officials and a nun familiar with the convent maintain that the building was indeed a convent and that the military bulldozed it. This incident adds another layer of complexity and concern to the already precarious situation faced by Christian communities in southern Lebanon.

From Lebanon's perspective, the Pope's call is more than just a pastoral act; it is a significant acknowledgment of the suffering and resilience of the people in the south. It provides a much-needed morale boost and reinforces the Vatican's attention to their plight. While international news often focuses on the military and political dimensions of the conflict, the Pope's personal engagement highlights the human cost and the spiritual needs of those living in the crossfire. The incident with the convent, regardless of the conflicting accounts, underscores the vulnerability of religious sites and the civilian population in this tense border region.

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Pray with me so that peace prevails. God willing, peace is near