Venezuela tonight.
You have been warned….

On the first day of my visit to Lebanon, one of two countries that I am visiting on this first Apostolic voyage in my Pontificate, I happily wish many blessings upon all the people of Lebanon, praying that PEACE will reign.

You are a people who do not give up but triumph over hardships, who know how to rise again and your resilience is an indispensable hallmark.

This is a challenge not only for Lebanon but for the entire Middle East: What should we do so that young people, in particular, do not feel compelled to leave their land and emigrate? How can we encourage them not to seek peace elsewhere but to find guarantees and become its pioneers in their own homeland? Christians and Muslims, together with all religious and civic components of Lebanese society, are called to play their part in this regard and to engage in raising awareness within the international community.