Pope Tells Aoun Lebanon has 'Special Place in His Prayers'

President Michel Aoun re-invited Monday Pope Francis to visit Lebanon, urging him to continue supporting Lebanon, during a visit to the Vatican city.

"Lebanon is in dire need for support," Aoun said in a meeting with the Pope, adding that he does not want Lebanon to "pay the price" for the region's conflicts.

Aoun had arrived on Monday morning in Rome, and met with Pope Francis and the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

“I await with impatience for the Pope’s visit to Lebanon, as a message of hope,” Aoun said.

For his part, Francis promised to visit Lebanon soon and affirmed that Lebanon has "a special place in his prayers" and is at the center of his concerns, despite the critical international situation.

He stressed the necessity of preserving the Christians' presence in the East, as well as preserving coexistence in Lebanon, a country that he considers as a "message" and a "model."