The Pope in Lebanon: the Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Medio Oriente

The Holy Father with the Maronite Patriarch

The Holy Father, in an address in Beirut, Lebanon formally consigned the Apostolic Exhortation: Ecclesia in Medio Oriente (The Church in the Middle East). Included in his address were the following words of encouragement to the Catholics of Lebanon and the Middle East:  

Dear Church in the Middle East, draw from the source of salvation which became a reality in this unique and beloved land! Follow in the footsteps of your fathers in faith, who by tenacity and fidelity opened up the way for humanity to respond to the revelation of God! Among the wonderful diversity of saints who flourished in your land, look for examples and intercessors who will inspire your response to the Lord's call to walk towards the heavenly Jerusalem, where God will wipe away every one of our tears (cf. Rev 21:4)! May fraternal communion be a support for you in your daily life and the sign of the universal brotherhood which Jesus, the firstborn of many, came to bring! Thus, in this region which saw his actions and heard his words, may the Gospel continue to resonate as it did 2,000 years ago, and may it be lived today and for ever!

The full text of the Apostolic Exhortation may be read here. 


We should never forget Lebanon is part of the cradle of Christianity, and a major contributor to Western civilization. Lebanon is not Islamic, though her demographics have been seriously altered due to continued invasion. She is Phoenician. An example of her contribution to civilization is the Phoenician alphabet that would give birth to the Greek and Roman. Nor should we forget the close and civilized relationship between Kings Solomon and Hiram. Though this beautiful, Christian country is under increasing attack from Islamist forces, God will draw good out of evil. Pray for Lebanon.