Pope urges new president in Lebanon in talks with Mikati

Pope Francis on Thursday reiterated his “firm faith in the message that Lebanon performs through the cultural and religious pluralism that characterizes it and makes it unique in the region,” during talks with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in the Vatican.

The pontiff also stressed “the need for solidarity among Lebanese officials in order to exit the crises that Lebanon is facing and elect a new president for the country.”

Mikati for his part said he handed the pope “a letter explaining the situations in Lebanon and the possible solutions that the Vatican can contribute to their success through carrying out contacts with the international community, especially as to holding the presidential election.”

“I invited the pope to visit Lebanon, seeing as that would represent a beam of hope for Muslims and Christians in Lebanon alike,” the premier added.