Beirut (AsiaNews) – The Vatican, through Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, has expressed its concern for the situation in Lebanon, which has been without a president for more than a year.
Card Mamberti, current prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura and former head of the Vatican Secretary for relations with States, arrived in the country last Friday for a week-long visit.
During his stay, he will meet the country’s civil and religious authorities and discuss the election to the Lebanese presidency and the situation of Christians in general.
“We hope that dialogue resolves the current situation and maintains stability of institutions,” Mamberti told reporters yesterday after talks with Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil.
Describing Lebanon as a “model in a difficult world conquered by violence,” the Vatican envoy also said that “It is important to maintain coexistence.”
Regarding the situation in Lebanon, Francis stressed “the importance . . . of cooperation between its factions,” said the cardinal as he reiterated the pope’s stance.
The Vatican is in fact deeply concerned about the institutional vacuum created in Lebanon by the failure to elect a president because it endangers the security of the region’s Christians.