Pope Leo XIV has expressed sorrow over the killing of catholic priest, Fr. Pierre El-Rahi, who died in Lebanon, amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
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‎The pontiff, in a condolence message at his weekly General Audience in the Vatican on Wednesday, mourned the death of Mr El-Rahi while offering prayers for the victim and renewing his peace across the Middle East.
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‎He stated, “Let us continue to pray for peace in Iran and throughout the Middle East, especially for the many civilian victims, including many innocent children. ‎May our prayer be a comfort for those who suffer and a seed of hope for the future.”
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‎The pope acknowledged Mr El-Rahi was a “true shepherd”, who was dedicated to his people with love and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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‎”May the Lord grant that the blood he shed may be a seed of peace for beloved Lebanon,” the pontiff said.
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‎Mr El-Rahi, a Maronite parish priest in southern Lebanon, succumbed to bomb blast wounds in Qlayaa on Monday, while trying to help parishioners whose houses were burned down by Israel’s strike forces.