Al-Rahi to Join Pope on Historical 'Religious, Non-Political' Jerusalem Visit
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi will travel to Jerusalem next month to greet Pope Francis, becoming the first head of the Maronite church to visit the holy land since Israel's creation in 1948, he said Friday.
"The pope is going to the Holy Land and Jerusalem. He is going to the diocese of the patriarch, so it's normal that the patriarch should welcome him," Rahi said by telephone from France.
Rahi's visit is diplomatically noteworthy because Lebanon remains technically at war with Israel and bans its citizens from entering the Hebrew state.
Maronite clergy are able to travel to the Holy Land to minister to the faithful there, but all other Lebanese are banned.
Rahi insisted that the trip will be strictly religious and has no political significance.
"It is a religious visit and in no way a political one."
Rahi's envoy Bishop Boulos Sayyah, who will accompany him, said the patriarch would not participate in any political meetings in Israel but will meet with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.
02 May 2014, 18:09
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Ask your own government. They could have solved the probl;em over 30 years ago, but allowed the Syrians to dictate to them.
02 May 2014, 20:00
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Pajama.boy - How do you know Israel only deals with larger Mideast countries? Has the Lebanese government tried to contact them in the last 30 years in order to sit down and talk peace? I very much doubt it.
02 May 2014, 22:42
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Let's dream one day Lebanese citizens will be granted the same right to visit for "religious, non-political" purpose as well.
This right should apply to you as well Flamethrower. I am pretty sure it would open your mind -that's why many in Lebanon fears that Lebanese would be free to contact whom they want and visit where they want, as sensitive adults
03 May 2014, 09:03
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"It is a religious visit and in no way a political one."
"will meet with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas."
So meeting with President Abbas is not political?
Sorry to have to say this, but unless he also agrees to meet with Israeli President Peres, Israel should ban his entry.
03 May 2014, 09:07
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I don't see the Israeli's welcoming him with open arms. If they give him a visa it will be to avoid offending the pope.
03 May 2014, 20:43
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Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God...
