LBCI

Maronite Patriarch Rai: I have a liturgical duty to welcome the Pope in Jerusalem

06-05-2014 | 11:24

Share

Share

Maronite Patriarch Rai: I have a liturgical duty to welcome the Pope in Jerusalem

2^min

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai said on Tuesday that he will pay a visit to Jerusalem to say that it is a city for Christians, reiterating the city's Arab identity.

Rai noted that he is the patriarch of regions extending from Turkey until Mauritania, Saudi Arabia and Iran, adding that he has a duty to welcome the Pope in any country within these regions.

Rai's comments were made upon his arrival to Beirut International Airport coming from France, where he asserted that he clearly understands Lebanon's enmity with Israel, noting however that he has nothing to do with the Jewish state and that he will not meet with any official figures there.

Last Friday, Rai confirmed he would join Pope Francis on his upcoming historic trip to occupied Jerusalem later this month, becoming the first head of Lebanon’s Maronite Church to visit Israel since it was founded in 1948.

Because Lebanon considers itself technically in a state of war with Israel, Lebanese citizens and officials are banned under Lebanese laws from visiting Israel.

Lebanon News

Patriarch

liturgical

welcome

Jerusalem

Next

Lebanon's Youth and Sports Minister Nora Bayrakdarian reinstates legitimacy of Gymnastics Federation

Recommended For You

UNIFIL patrol accidentally enters Ghobeiry, collides with civilian vehicle: Videos

14:35

UNIFIL patrol accidentally enters Ghobeiry, collides with civilian vehicle: Videos

Who are the 12 Lebanese Jews at the heart of Netanyahu’s detainee deal?

News Bulletin Reports

13:10

Who are the 12 Lebanese Jews at the heart of Netanyahu’s detainee deal?

Ali al-Taher under fire: What prompted Israel’s latest move?

News Bulletin Reports

13:00

Ali al-Taher under fire: What prompted Israel’s latest move?

From Israeli detention to reunion: Five detainees return to Lebanon

News Bulletin Reports

12:55

From Israeli detention to reunion: Five detainees return to Lebanon

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Air alert sirens sound in Bahrain: Interior ministry

Middle East News

2026-07-23

Air alert sirens sound in Bahrain: Interior ministry

Explosion heard over Jerusalem: AFP

Middle East News

2026-06-08

Explosion heard over Jerusalem: AFP

Putin calls for immediate halt to Iran conflict

2026-03-07

Putin calls for immediate halt to Iran conflict

Iran says targeted military, intelligence sites in Israel

Middle East News

2026-03-10

Iran says targeted military, intelligence sites in Israel

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Who are the 12 Lebanese Jews at the heart of Netanyahu’s detainee deal?

1

Who are the 12 Lebanese Jews at the heart of Netanyahu’s detainee deal?

Ali al-Taher under fire: What prompted Israel’s latest move?

2

Ali al-Taher under fire: What prompted Israel’s latest move?

Fuel prices increase across Lebanon

3

Fuel prices increase across Lebanon

Israeli Defense Minister: Control of Ali al-Taher heights strengthens ‘security zone’ in southern Lebanon

4

Israeli Defense Minister: Control of Ali al-Taher heights strengthens ‘security zone’ in southern Lebanon

Israeli ambassador to France: Strengthening Lebanese Army is a ‘step in the right direction’

5

Israeli ambassador to France: Strengthening Lebanese Army is a ‘step in the right direction’

UNIFIL patrol accidentally enters Ghobeiry, collides with civilian vehicle: Videos

6

UNIFIL patrol accidentally enters Ghobeiry, collides with civilian vehicle: Videos

President Aoun welcomes release of first group of Lebanese detainees held by Israel

7

President Aoun welcomes release of first group of Lebanese detainees held by Israel

Aoun urges release of remaining Lebanese detainees in talks with US delegation

8

Aoun urges release of remaining Lebanese detainees in talks with US delegation

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More