Vatican City, Feb 15, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Earlier today, Pope Benedict XVI met with Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora, to whom he stressed the need for peace in the troubled Holy Land--particularly for Christians, and regarding violence over recent Danish cartoons, found offensive to many Muslims.
The Prime Minister, who was accompanied by an official Lebanese delegation, also met with Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano.
According to a communique released by the Vatican, the aim of the visit was to confirm “the great devotion of the Lebanese people towards the Roman Pontiff, and towards the Holy See in general, which has always remained close to that noble country.”
The Vatican press office noted that “opinions were exchanged concerning the current situation in Lebanon and in the Middle East in general, highlighting the joint commitment to work towards educating people in reconciliation and peace, while respecting human rights, especially that of religious freedom.”