LBCI

Maronite Patriarch Rai: I have a liturgical duty to welcome the Pope in Jerusalem

2014-05-06 | 10:24

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Maronite Patriarch Rai: I have a liturgical duty to welcome the Pope in Jerusalem

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Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai said on Tuesday that he will pay a visit to Jerusalem to say that it is a city for Christians, reiterating the city's Arab identity.

Rai noted that he is the patriarch of regions extending from Turkey until Mauritania, Saudi Arabia and Iran, adding that he has a duty to welcome the Pope in any country within these regions.

Rai's comments were made upon his arrival to Beirut International Airport coming from France, where he asserted that he clearly understands Lebanon's enmity with Israel, noting however that he has nothing to do with the Jewish state and that he will not meet with any official figures there.

Last Friday, Rai confirmed he would join Pope Francis on his upcoming historic trip to occupied Jerusalem later this month, becoming the first head of Lebanon’s Maronite Church to visit Israel since it was founded in 1948.

Because Lebanon considers itself technically in a state of war with Israel, Lebanese citizens and officials are banned under Lebanese laws from visiting Israel.

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