Beirut: In a significant address during an ecumenical meeting at Martyrs’ Square, Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan of the Syriac Catholic Church invoked the words of Pope John Paul II, asserting that “Lebanon is not just a country, but a message to our region and the entire world.” Patriarch Younan emphasized the importance of the visit aimed at fostering peace and stability in Lebanon, a nation described as small on the map yet significant in its message, role, and religious mosaic.

According to National News Agency – Lebanon, Patriarch Younan addressed the Pope, noting that the visit coincides with two key milestones in Christianity. The first is the anniversary of the Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea, highlighting the efforts of churches to organize ecumenical meetings under a shared law. The second milestone is the call for interreligious dialogue, an initiative issued by the Vatican Council, which underscores the importance of fostering understanding among different religious communities.