Pope Benedict XVI from airport: Lebanese people form wonderful piece of mosaic

The Pope Benedict XVI left Lebanon on Sunday evening on board a Middle East plane, concluding his three-day visit, during which he signed the Apostolic Exhortation and held meetings with political and religious officials.             

In a speech he delivered before leaving, the Pope said: “My especial thanks go to the entire Lebanese people who form a beautiful and rich mosaic and who have shown the successor of Peter their enthusiasm by the efforts, both general and specific, of each community. I thank all the civil and religious leaders of your country. It is a tradition in the Middle East to receive a guest with consideration and respect as you have done. I thank you all. But, to that consideration and respect, you added something else, which can be compared to one of those renowned oriental spices which enrich the taste of food: your warmth and your affection, which make me wish to return. I thank you for that especially. May God bless you for it!”                   

For his part, President Michel Sleiman said, addressing the Pope: “at the end of your visit, we can't but thank you for your love and compassion seeking stability for Lebanon". Sleiman highly appreciated the Pope's keen concern for preserving coexistence in the country by means of fending off any form of aggression or injustice threatening Lebanon.             

"These are touching moments. We stand here to bid you farewell after the three blessed days, during which you handed us the responsibility to fulfill our people's aspirations," Sleiman told the Pope.                 

All preparations for the farewell ceremony have been completed before the arrival of the Pope to the airport.              

For more details on the Pope’s third day in Lebanon, please click on this link