Maghdouche: The town of Maghdouche welcomed the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Paolo Borgia, during a visit to the parish of Our Lady of Mantara. He joined Bishop Elie Bechara Haddad in the Divine Liturgy offered for peace, attended by MP Michel Moussa, Mayor Raif Younan, several religious and official figures, and a crowd of believers.
According to National News Agency – Lebanon, Father Paul Demirjian, parish priest of Our Lady of Mantara, welcomed the Papal Nuncio, highlighting that his visit carries a message of peace and hope for Lebanon during a critical time. Father Demirjian emphasized that Maghdouche, a town of peace and coexistence, has remained steadfast in its faith and mission despite challenges, considering the Nuncio’s presence a source of moral and spiritual support for the people of the region.
Mayor Younan welcomed the Papal Nuncio on behalf of the municipal council and the town’s residents. He stressed that Maghdouche has always been an open and vibrant town, maintaining cooperative ties with its surroundings, particularly with the city of Sidon. Younan emphasized the hospitality of its people and their determination to remain in the town despite difficult circumstances.
Younan noted that Maghdouche, like other areas in the South, has suffered from the repercussions of successive crises in Lebanon, most recently the ongoing war. He affirmed that the municipality’s primary concern is securing the interests of its residents, maintaining security and stability, and advancing development within available resources.
Addressing Israeli threats targeting one of the town’s neighborhoods, the mayor emphasized that Maghdouche is free of any military presence or movements. The municipality has contacted relevant security authorities and issued statements confirming this, calling on the Lebanese state to take necessary measures to protect the town and its residents. He thanked the Papal Nuncio for his visit and the moral support it conveys to the people of Maghdouche.
The Papal Nuncio praised the resilience of Christians in the southern villages, noting their presence in frontline areas as a remarkable example of steadfastness. His visit aimed to support and thank them for their resilience in the ongoing conflict, which he hoped would end soon, and he expressed his intent to visit again in the future.