Patriarch Gregorius III Latham, head of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church, says Pope Benedict's visit to Lebanon this month is a very important and eagerly-awaited event. The Patriarch also says he prays that this papal visit will help bring peace and reconciliation to neighbouring Syria. Pope Benedict arrives in Beirut on September 14th for a 3-day visit during which he will present the Apostolic Exhortation, the document in which he summarises and reflects on the discussions of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East held in 2010.
Patriarch Gregorius says the papal visit to Lebanon is "very very important" and describes it as a "wonderful and special historic event." "We are happy that he is coming," he declares. The Greek Melkite leader says it's a visit "for the whole country" and that the Pope is bringing "a message for the whole Middle East."
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