Pope prays for peace and reconciliation in troubled Middle East

Benedict, on the third and final day of his visit to the country, was greeted by a jubilant crowd who threw rice and rose petals on the pope mobile, while waving Vatican, Lebanese, Syrian, Jordanian and Iraqi, and other foreign flags.

 

"I pray in particular that the Lord will grant to this region of the Middle East servants of peace and reconciliation, so that all people can live in peace and with dignity," the pope told the crowd.

 

He also stressed the importance of achieving peace and justice, saying: "In a world where violence constantly leaves behind its grim trail of death and destruction, to serve justice and peace is urgently necessary for building a fraternal society, for building fellowship."   Helicopters flew overhead and soldiers set up road blocks and patrolled streets as the mass was taking place in Beirut.

 

The pope, 85, conducted the mass on an altar in the shape of the Cedar of Lebanon - white flowers and olive trees symbolizing peace.//DPA