Friday, August 28, 2026

Israeli Attacks: Lebanese PM begs pope to protect Christians

“I asked the Holy See to intervene and mediate to help preserve the Christian presence in those villages,” said Mr Raggi.

• March 12, 2026
Shelled Lebanon
Shelled Lebanon(cREDIT: BBC)

Lebanese Prime Minister Youssef Raggi has appealed for the Vatican’s intervention in preserving Christians in the southern region of Lebanon amid violent conflicts in the Middle East.

‎Mr Raggi, in an X post on Wednesday, said that a phone conversation with Archbishop Paul Gallagher, secretary for relations with states of the Holy See, had sought to protect Christians in South Lebanon amid intensifying hostilities in the Middle East.

‎”Today I spoke by phone with Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See,” Mr Raggi stated. ‎”I asked the Holy See to intervene and mediate to help preserve the Christian presence in those villages, whose residents have always supported the Lebanese state and its official military institutions, and have never departed from this commitment.”

‎The prime minister, however, confirmed that Mr Gallagher affirmed the Vatican’s commitment to responding to his request and was making all necessary diplomatic contact to halt the escalation in Lebanon.

‎”He also said that Lebanon has always been, and continues to be, in the prayers of His Holiness the Pope,” Mr Raggi said.

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