Beirut: On the second anniversary of the terrorist attack in Beirut, the Lebanese capital, Pope Francis offered the entire Lebanese people to God. At the end of last day’s public visit, the Pope offered a special prayer in memory of those killed and wounded in Beirut and their families. The Pope also shared the hope that with the help of the international community, the Lebanese people can advance on the path of rebirth.
On August 4, 2020, 215 people were killed and more than 5,000 were injured in an explosion at the port of Beirut. Over 3,00,000 people became homeless. Much of the city was destroyed. The explosion was caused by a large stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored in the port of Beirut. The destroyed buildings include several temples and monasteries. The Pope began the prayer with the words, ‘The families of the victims of that devastating event and the beloved Lebanese people are now in my mind.’
‘I pray that each may be comforted by faith and comforted by righteousness and truth that can never be hidden. “I hope that the Lebanese people, faithful to their call to be a land of peace and pluralism, where different religious communities can live in brotherhood, can continue on the path of rebirth with the help of the international community,” the Pope said.
Pope Francis also joined Christian organizations that Caimei helped in supporting the people of Beirut who were angry in the face of the explosion. The Pope, who handed over two and a half million euros as emergency aid for Lebanon, also organized a special day of prayer for Lebanon at the international level. The ‘Pontifical Institute of Foreign Mission’ Foundation, which is a part of the Church itself, was active along with ‘Caritasi’, the charity initiative of the Catholic Church, to help in the face of the disaster.
Caritas and other Christian organizations are still busy rebuilding Lebanon after the relief effort. The project developed by Caritas by forming a team of expert doctors including doctors and psychologists to support the relatives of the deceased and the injured has attracted international attention.