Pope discourages Christian youth from leaving Lebanon

The Pope has made an appeal to young Lebanese Christians not to choose emigration as a reaction to sometimes difficult circumstances. He explained that they represented the future of the country and as such should be forging closer ties with young Muslims and advocating greater cooperation, religious freedom and tolerance.

This is the first time Pope Benedict XVI has visited Lebanon since 2009. On his second day he attended a youth rally where he implored the thousands who had gathered not to decide on emigration as a way of escaping a lack of security and instability.

He added that emigration was a bitter sweet act which involved separation, an uprooting and an uncertain future.

The Christian leader has also called upon Lebanon to be a beacon for coexistence for other countries in the region. He explained that it was not unusual to see families who are a mix of Muslim and Christian in the country, adding that if this could happen in a family environment then surely it could work at every level in a society.

The Pope’s trip was initially overshadowed by the protests by Muslims against an anti-Muslim video produced in the US. He has so far not referred to the film in a direct manner, presumably so as to avoid stirring up any more agitation.