September 13, 2012. (Romereports.com) The Pope's trip to Lebanon is expected to be one of the most difficult of his pontificate.
 
It will be marked by the Apostolic Exhortation of the synod of bishops for the Middle East that was held in October of 2010. It will also test how the pope will balance visiting a country next door to the civil war in Syria.


Benedict XVI
“I do not ignore the situation, which is often dramatic for the population living in this region long torn by the constant conflicts. I understand the anguish of many  in the Middle East that find themselves daily in this type of suffering that afflict sadly and sometimes fatally, their personal and family life.”

Many of the realities that the Catholic Church faces in the region were reflected in the synod on the Middle East.

The document prepared after that synod will serve as a road map for the Christians in the region. One of the hot topics that has been discussed is the exodus of Christians from the Holy Land.

Benedict XVI
“I worry about them, those looking for some peace and leaving behind their environment that is familiar to them also professionally and experience a precarious exile. Although it seems hard to find solutions to the various problems affecting the region, you can not give in to violence and tensions due to desperation.”

It's those increased tensions and violence that threaten the lives of those on a daily basis who choose not to leave conflict areas. That's why one of the key points of the document calls for a peaceful coexistence.

Benedict XVI
“The commitment to dialogue and reconciliation should be a priority for all parties involved, and must be supported by the international community, always aware of the importance for everyone of a stable and lasting peace in the region.”

Benedict XVI makes the trip to Lebanon along with representatives of other faiths, religious traditions and Christian rites. Working toward unity of a diversified group is another important aspect of this document.

The trip will not only be an historic moment for Lebanon but for the entire Middle East.

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