Maronite Patriarch Urges Peace Amid Suffering and Violence in Lebanon

Beirut: In his Palm Sunday homily, Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi expressed deep sorrow for the children affected by the violence in Lebanon, including those displaced and exposed to harsh conditions without adequate clothing. He thanked all institutions and individuals providing aid, medicines, and clothing during these difficult times. According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the Patriarch conveyed solidarity with the steadfast families of southern Lebanon, praying for peace and an end to the war. He highlighted the most painful losses, including a father and son martyred on the Dibl road, journalists, medical teams, army personnel, and other civilians in various regions. Emphasizing that the Church's choice is peace, he noted that the olive branches carried on Palm Sunday are not just a symbol but a commitment to live in peace despite challenges. He recalled that the people who welcomed Jesus did so with palm and olive branches, not weapons. He called for prayers so that Leb anon remains a land of mission, encounter, and peace, and stressed that human strength lies not in violence but in the ability to uphold peace, dignity, and truth, issuing a clear appeal to end war, killing, and destruction.