Thousands Greet Pope as he Meets Country's Top Political, Religious Leaders
Thousands of Lebanese greeted on Saturday Pope Benedict XVI as he headed on his Popemobile to Baabda palace where he met with the country's top political and Muslim religious leaders.
Lebanese and Vatican flags fluttered, and there was a festive atmosphere on the streets as the faithful greeted him from Sayyad roundabout all the way to the presidential palace.
President Michel Suleiman urged the Lebanese in a statement he issued on Friday to line the streets leading to the palace.
The pope met Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Miqati.
He also held meetings with the country's religious leaders, cabinet members and the diplomatic corps.
On Friday, the pontiff appealed to Christians, Jews and Muslims alike to "root out" religious fundamentalism.
The pope, who is in Lebanon on a three-day visit, has also told the Christian minority in the Middle East not to fear for its future.
His exhortations were made public as he put his signature to recommendations emerging from a synod of bishops he convened two years ago to examine the future of the Christian minority in the region and its relations with Islam and Judaism.
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